Last week, we were discussing how to "talk" with coaches. I finished that by writing this:

Tone and tempo can work the same for you. Adjust your tone to sound similar so he feels understood and acknowledged, then lead him into responding in the tone you wish to set.

That can even work with the whiner, the poor persecuted coach who can't get a break. Out he comes: "Ah, gee! Come on, Blue. Everything you call goes against me. Why can't I ever get any calls?" Your pitiful, slightly whining answer can be: "Gosh, Coach, I know most of my calls haven't been in your favor. But I'm just tryin' to do my job. You know how games are. Things are bound to change if your guys keep playin' as well as they are."

This week, let's look at the other side of the coin. You could answer the coach in a stern, lightly mocking voice: "I'm not here to give you breaks! I call 'em like I see 'em. And if you had a better team, you'd make your own breaks."

Continued...