Supportive Distractions

Distractions can be powerful tools.

I had a player whose third-grade teacher passed away in the middle of the school year, during our rec league season. She was shocked and hadn’t experienced loss that close to her before. Softball was an incredible distraction.

I supervised someone who was having struggles in their personal life. Work became their distraction.

Both turned to an environment with which they were already comfortable and familiar. Both were looking for normalcy and routine. A place with structure but also a place where they could distract themselves, engaging in other activities where they had agency and control. Both were looking for some time away from their own thoughts. A little space.

It’s important for us as leaders, supervisors and coaches to understand our people and recognize the need for support. We need to foster a culture that builds mental and emotional safety. We shouldn’t just avoid our people and hope they figure it out on their own. Supporting your people shouldn’t be an optional task. If you’re a coach or supervisor, supporting your team members is a core responsibility.

If you’re a coach, encourage teammates to be supportive and inclusive. Keep a consistent practice schedule but be flexible with your players participation if they need some time away. Be silly and have practices be upbeat and fun. End practice with some fun games (Softball Tic-Tac-Toe is a popular one).

If you’re a supervisor, assure your team member that their health and well-being is the priority and that you and your organization are there to support them. Be empathetic and try to understand the nature of what they are going through. Try to find them projects or tasks that they find engaging and fulfilling. Definitely direct them to Human Resources and any Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) your organization offers. However you feel about HR, They can be your All-Stars for situations like these.

In both cases, offer a non-judgmental and supportive presence. Check in on your people and listen to them.  Prepare a plan and be ready to adjust it if circumstances change. Make sure that these distractions are being used in a healthy way and not to completely avoid something they may need professional assistance with.

We are people first, games and work can come later.