One of my daughters and I will watch YouTube videos of band interviews. One of the common games played in the interviews is having the band members guess who posted the Tweet or social media comment. It is funny to me how often they get the answer wrong amongst themselves.
This was on my mind recently as I listened to another of my daughters talk about a conversation she’d had with one of her basketball coaches. As a team co-captain, he challenged her to take the lead in the conversation about how to perform better on the court.
Does the source matter?
As much as I would like to say no, I recognize that the source does matter. I am far more open to advice or opinions that come from someone I know and trust than a random stranger. As much as I hate to admit it, if the opinion is shared by someone who I perceive as out of their element, I will actively ignore it. I am working on being more open to evaluating the information less on who said it and more on the information itself, but it is a challenge.
The idea of the source mattering is something that impacts how care is delivered in The Waccamaw Way model of care. The campus life staff recognize the importance of peer guidance for our youth. That is why when the youth enter the third phase, they receive leadership training with President Ricky Creech. The youth then serve as peer support for the newly arrived teens, helping them learn the system from a closer perspective than the adults responsible for providing care and guidance.
It is this understanding that explains the need for captains and co-captains in high school sports. Players are more responsive to one of their own providing guidance and insights than a coach who isn’t on the court facing the opponent directly.
This peer guidance also helps establish a community of people who have a similar experience that can last beyond school or the campus. It creates a habit of seeking out a support system in the world that will raise you up and provide the guidance needed for success.
Melissa Hopkins is the Public Relations and Marketing Specialist at Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina.
