Setting the Table for Sugar & Salt
Leaders need to prepare themselves for tough conversations. That’s what leaders do. Leaders care too much about those around them, not to have those conversations when the situation requires it. Those conversations aren’t easy, not even for the strongest of leaders. It requires practice. Players need reps. It’s important to start training for the trial your not yet it.
In order to have effective conversations, players need to learn to balance love (sugar) & truth (salt).
Being able to speak kindly, gentle and with love can go a long way and in this exercise we call that “Sugar.”
Truth is what we know it to be, the truth, which is sometimes painful and harsh. We call truth in this exercise “Salt.”
Through this exercise your players will get their reps to cook up a recipe combining the perfect amounts of sugar and salt.
"“As a coach, this was one of my favorite exercises. I loved watching my players try to navigate these difficult conversations that even after 15 years of coaching, I sometimes struggle having.”"
Veteran Maryland High School Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
To view this content you need to have a Coaches Membership.
If you are already a Coaches Member, please log in to view this Exercise.
Student Growth Areas
Exercise Length
Sugar & Salt Exercise Reminder Card
To emphasize and reinforce the lessons learned in this exercise with your players, download and share this graphic with them 24 hours after completing the exercise.
Sugar & Salt Quiz Questions
Use these questions below to engage after you have taught the exercise.
- What does it mean to communicate with “Sugar?”
- What does it mean to communicate with “Salt?”
- Why must we balance sugar and salt when communicating?