CFC Communication & Leadership Skills Flashcards

An athlete discloses personal mental health struggles to the coach. The coach's primary responsibility is to:

Answer: Listen supportively, maintain confidentiality, and connect the athlete with appropriate resources

Coaches must listen, protect confidentiality, and facilitate referrals to qualified mental health professionals.

Nonverbal communication cues that coaches must be aware of include:

Answer: Tone of voice, facial expressions, posture, and eye contact

Nonverbal cues include paralinguistics and body language, which often carry more impact than the words themselves.

When resolving a conflict between two athletes, a coach acting as a mediator should:

Answer: Allow each athlete to speak without interruption and help identify common ground

Effective mediation ensures both parties feel heard and guides them toward a mutually acceptable solution.

A coach who consistently models the behaviors they expect from athletes is demonstrating:

Answer: Leading by example (role modeling)

Role modeling reinforces expectations and builds credibility because athletes see the coach live the standards they preach.

Which listening level involves the listener evaluating and judging while the speaker is still talking?

Answer: Evaluative (critical) listening

Evaluative listening involves forming judgments about the message's validity while the sender is still speaking, which can block full comprehension.

A new coach inherits a team with low morale after a losing season. The first communication priority should be:

Answer: Establishing trust by listening to athletes' experiences and setting a positive vision

Rebuilding morale starts with trust, which is earned through listening, empathy, and articulating a hopeful, clear direction.

Goal-setting communication is most effective when goals are framed using the SMART criteria. 'M' in SMART stands for:

Answer: Measurable

Measurable goals include concrete criteria so athletes and coaches can track progress objectively.