Work to Understand "The Other Side of the Trade" - The Echo Chamber

Expressions may inform more than one meaning. Consider "echo chamber." 

One meaning:

• noun A room or enclosure with acoustically reflective walls used in broadcasting and recording to produce echoes or similar sound effects.

Another definition: 

Our coaching "echo chamber" reinforces our core values or system:

• Teamwork, improvement, accountability
• Communicate on and off the floor.
• "The game honors toughness."
• "Do more to become more; become more to do more." 
• "The magic is in the work." 
• Take care of your business - family, school, then extracurriculars.

These are non-negotiable values, part of the conditional love that coaches and teammates share. 

But a negative echo chamber can have devastating negative impact. 

• Players can ostracize, harass, or haze a teammate. "She's different than we are." 
• A negative culture of seniority can take over the room. As coaches, we preach "this is not a union job." 
• Players can reject coaching. "We know what's best for us." 

The strongest teams are player-led. That demands exceptional maturity, collaboration, and commitment to each other's well-being. 

At another school during tryouts, a player's $20 bill disappeared from the locker room. After the workout, a team leader spoke up. "That is not who we are. Whoever did this, don't come back tomorrow." One player didn't return. 

Good leaders need good followers. Seek understanding, not validation. Do the work to understand both sides of issues. 

Lagniappe. Concentration warmup. Hoop ball.