Every Emotion Is Carrying a Message
I liked this on IG from @6secondseq for a couple of reasons:
I think there is always tremendous value in listing multiple emotions, as so many young men can’t name past "I’m cool” or “I’m pissed”
Labeling the REACTIONS associated with feeling these emotions is vital, as your players can make the connection with moments in their life when the action matches the description
I haven’t seen NEEDS listed on very many charts like this. I have seen the “what might help” (which I really like because we all crave action), but laying out the why and what of the information that particular emotion is giving you is a revelation
The visuals! Inside Out is very popular movie, and if you have high school aged players, many of them probably watched that movie when they were younger and can connect to their memories of the characters
I could see this being an entire program activity, where you put up this table, but MISSING certain segments. Say a group of seniors is up (3-4 of them) and they are given the 3rd line, with only the visual picture and “react quickly or become defensive” segments. They then have to work together to populate the missing pieces of that line of the chart. Put a timer on it and watch the fun AND learning happen.
Remember, TeamsOfMen work doesn't require a doctorate in psychology or counseling. It doesn't require you to become an expert in emotional intelligence before you begin these conversations. It simply asks you to create intentional moments where the topic isn't the game your players are competing in, but the lives they're living outside of it. That's where posts like this become a gold mine. You don't have to create every activity from scratch. Sometimes the best thing you can do is recognize a quality resource, adapt it for your team, and let the discussion do the heavy lifting.
Coach Prompts
Where do your players typically stop when describing how they feel? Is your team emotionally literate, or do most conversations end with "I'm good," "I'm fine," or "I'm pissed"?
Which column on this chart would create the best discussion with your team: Feelings, Reactions, Needs, or What Might Help?
What existing resources have you seen recently that could become a meaningful five-minute team activity with just a little adaptation?
Player Prompts
Which emotion on this chart do you think is most misunderstood by guys your age? Why?
Looking at the "Needs" column, was there anything that surprised you or challenged the way you've thought about emotions before?
If your teammates had to describe you during a stressful week, which reaction on this chart would they probably choose? Is it accurate?
