Athletics & Wellness
Grade 10
45 min
The Leader's Playbook: Communication and Active Listening
Great leaders aren't just the best players; they're the best communicators. This lesson will teach you how to use active listening to build trust, solve problems, and truly lead your team.
Tutorial Preview
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What & Why
Being a leader isn't just about giving orders; it's about building a strong, connected team. The most powerful tool for this is active listening. This isn't just hearing words—it's about fully concentrating on what is being said to understand the complete message.Why does it matter? When teammates feel heard, they feel valued and respected. This builds trust, reduces conflict, and helps everyone work together towards the same goal. Good communication is the glue that holds a team together, especially under pressure.
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Example 1 — The Pre-Game Huddle
Your teammate, Alex, seems anxious before a big game. As the captain, you notice.You: "Hey Alex, you seem a bit quiet. Everything okay?"Alex: "I'm just nervous about guarding their top scorer. She's really fast."Step 1: Listen & Validate. Instead of saying "Don't worry," you make eye contact and nod. You say, "I get that. It's a tough assignment and it's normal to feel the pressure." This shows you're taking their feelings seriously.Step 2: Paraphrase & Clarify. You say, "So it sounds like her speed is what you're most concerned about. Is that right?" This confirms you understood the core issue.Step 3: Strategize Together. You say, "Okay, let's remember our defensive plan. I'll be in the help position, so if she drives past you, I've got your back. We're a team on defense, not just you alo...
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Example 2 — Resolving a Disagreement
During a scrimmage, two teammates, Maya and Ben, get into an argument over a missed pass.Maya: "You cut way too early!"Ben: "The pass was way too late!"As a leader, you step in to mediate, not to take sides.Step 1: Create a Calm Space. You say, "Hey, let's pause. Arguing won't fix it. Let's figure it out. Maya, what did you see on that play?"Step 2: Listen to Both Sides Fully. You let Maya explain her perspective without interruption. Then, you turn to Ben and say, "Ben, what was your read on it?" You give him the same respect and attention.Step 3: Find the Common Goal. You summarize, "Okay, so it sounds like a timing issue from both sides. We all want to complete the pass and score. It's not about blame."Step 4: Focus on a Solution. You ask, "What's a signal or a word we can use next time...
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Beginner
What is the primary goal of 'active listening' for a team leader?
A.To fully understand the speaker's message, including their feelings and perspective.
B.To wait for your turn to speak and formulate your argument.
C.To prove that the other person's opinion is incorrect.
D.To hear the words just enough to give a quick solution.
Beginner
A teammate is visibly upset after making a critical error that cost the team a point. What is the BEST first step for a leader to take?
A.Immediately tell them, "It's okay, shake it off!" to try and make them feel better quickly.
B.Go over and quietly say, "I can see you're frustrated. Let's focus on the next play together."
C.Explain the technical reason for their mistake so they don't do it again.
D.Ignore them so they have space to deal with their emotions on their own.
Beginner
Paraphrasing, or restating what someone said in your own words, is a key communication skill because it:
A.Shows you were listening and confirms you understood correctly.
B.Gives you more time to think of what you want to say next.
C.Makes you sound smarter and more in control of the conversation.
D.Allows you to change the topic to something you'd rather discuss.
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Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "The Leader's Playbook: Communication and Active Listening"?
The Leader's Playbook: Communication and Active Listening is a Grade 10 Athletics & Wellness lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in The Leader's Playbook: Communication and Active Listening?
Great leaders aren't just the best players; they're the best communicators. This lesson will teach you how to use active listening to build trust, solve problems, and truly lead your team.
Is "The Leader's Playbook: Communication and Active Listening" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with The Leader's Playbook: Communication and Active Listening?
This lesson includes 12 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.