Video games and performance psychology. Part One: How to make your job as a LEADer less “Maddening”

In the popular video game, Madden, the “Create a Player” feature gives the gamer the ability to customize everything he or she desires in a player, including preferred size, speed, and overall athletic ability. Isn’t it interesting that even if a player is allotted the highest amount of points in the overall speed category, he is still able to run faster when the gamer presses the turbo button?

Real life coaching in either sport or business can be “maddening” when those under your supervision (who you’d like to be giving the best of their ability) are somehow able to muster up just a little bit more when he or she feels like they are being watched or asked to do more. As a LEADer, you must consider: 1- Why are those under my supervision giving less than their absolute best? 2- How can I create an environment that best fosters and promotes intrinsic motivation?

Proponents of Self-Determination Theory use the acronym “CAR” to best describe someone who is truly motivated. This individual must believe they are good at what they do (Competence), feel a sense of control over his/her situation (Autonomy), and have the ability to relate or connect with those whom they are working with (Relationships). How you utilize this information is up to you; however, keep in mind that in video games, the turbo button only works for a brief period, just as external motivation quickly vanishes in the real world. There is no doubt that your overall success is tied to those under your supervision, however the choice of how to LEAD is up to you.

Coach Nelson serves as a high school football coach who is pursuing his doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology. He has worked for division 1 athletic departments, professional sport franchises, a Fortune 100 Company and has won numerous awards for his LEADership abilities. Most recently coach Nelson was hired as a trainer for the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) and as a mental performance coach for Mindurance.

His mission is to positively influence the world through Love, Effort, Attitude and Discipline (#LEAD). To learn more about the LEAD philosophy follow him on Twitter Levi Nelson or reach out via email at rln10@zips.uakron.edu He’d love to learn about or help you in your journey!

PCA: https://www.positivecoach.org/team/nelson-levi/

Mindurance: https://mindurance.com/viewAdvisor.asp?ic=51819&catID=