The Art of Whispering

Recently, I have come across "The art of Whispering."  I have been reading two different books that share two different perspectives of "whispering."  First, how we coach and instruct, and the second,  how well we listen to the "whispers" in our own lives.

I have referenced the first book several times.  Daniel Croyle's Talent Code talks about the similarities of very successful coaches/teachers from several talent hotbeds around the world.  He talks about not seeing a lot of pep talks, yelling, or in your face instruction, rather, what he noted was a quiet leader, someone who watched more than instructed.  Here is an excerpt from the book:

Instead, the teachers and coaches I met were quiet, even reserved........ They possessed the same sort of gaze:steady, deep, unblinking. they listened far more than they talked. They seemed allergic to giving pep talks or inspiring speeches; they spent most of their time offering small, targeted, highly specific adjustments...........They were talent whisperers.

John Wooden was noted as never using long lectures, but short, to the point, cue's or phrases, as his players moved through practice.  Also noted was how a certain Brazilian soccer player was appalled by our youth soccer programs where all you hear is coaches and parents yelling instructions, "Pass! Get Back! Spread Out! etc...." during games. This contradicted how he learned to become one of the best players in the world.  He noted, that in Brazil, the coaches would let their kids play, only stopping occasionally to make small adjustments or offer hints on how to be more successful.

The second book I am reading is from Bill Hybels, and is called The Power of a Whisper.  The main focus is how well we listen, in particular, to God.  Bill comments on how when we look back on our lives, most of the things that shape who we are, or set us in a certain direction, do not happen from a bolt of lightning, rather by a small whisper.  Bill references his 2nd grade teacher and a poem she gave him one day that set him in a certain direction.  He also references how God uses Samuel (a child) in the Old Testament to deliver a message that would impact an entire nation.  Big things usually start from quiet whispers.

I think everyone can take a little away from this and apply it to how we coach, teach, and parent.  On the other hand, I think we all need to be reminded to take some time to listen to the "whispers" in our lives more often.

Here is the poem from Bill Hybel's Book:

Oh! give me Samuel's ear,

An open ear, O Lord,

Alive and quick to hear

Each whisper of Thy Word;

Like him to answer to Thy call

And to obey Thee first of all.