Non verbal Communication and Canoe and Kayak Coaching
Do you know where your eyebrows are? And more importantly, do your students know where your eyebrows are?
I’ve been on many canoeing and kayaking training courses, locally in the North East and throughout the country where the coach has been wearing sunglasses. I know the importance of protecting my eyes from the harmful effects of bright sunlight, and I know how ‘in the dark’ not being able to see your coaches eyes can leave a student. Very dark glasses hide so much of your non-verbal communication and can have a really detrimental effect on your coaching. So when coaching I constantly monitor the non-verbal communication taking place, and make sure my students can pick up all of my non-verbal cues.
One of my favourite comedians demonstrates the importance of body language and non-verbal communication here.
And many of these signals and movements occur at a level below our conscious awareness. Even the tiniest eye twitch, narrowing, widening or other micro-muscle movement contributes to the meaning of your communication – so how much is lost behind dark sunglasses? So next time you’re coaching, make sure your students know where your eyebrows are!
For training on how to use NLP and effective communication in your coaching contact Kim.
