Iron Sharpens Iron: How to Approach & Appreciate Practice
As iron sharpens iron, so does one person sharpen another
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. There are great benefits to trying your best and surrounding yourself with those who give their best as well.
Sidney Crosby is known to be a great leader who doesn’t often get frustrated. A quick way for Crosby to be upset and frustrated is when his teammates don’t give him their best. He, like many NHL captains, demands that his teammates give their best efforts.
Simply put, if you aren’t giving your best, you are harming yourself and your teammates. The upward catch-22 loop, where each person pushes the other, has great power. It’s a great sign of respect and care.
This type of environment is what you see in any elite-performing group:
Iron Sharpens Iron
There are many ways to sharpen each other, like at practice. Here is a great example from Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno with young defenseman and top prospect Kevin Korchinski.
Rather than getting frustrated with the physicality and difficulty of the battle, Foligno celebrates the effort and difficulty he encountered. He makes some noise by banging the boards and gives him a fist bump and a pat on the head.
Foligno and other leaders understand the mutual benefit of ‘iron sharpens iron.’ This is just one example. What others can you think of?
Here are a few to get you thinking:
Inviting a teammate to join you in your workouts
Praising competitive behavior
Helping guide and correct teammates who may not know a drill
Cohort Effect
Having a sparring partner or partners is a key ingredient to your own success. Here is an example and more detail on the Cohort Effect from Joel Cressman. You can also check out Joel as a guest on the Hockey IQ Podcast episode.
Environment matters. Behaviors and ambitions are contagious. Human potential is limited more by our thoughts and beliefs than by our physical and cognitive limits. Push those around you and get them to push you back.
Further Reading
Player & Coach Development: Don't Let Early Success Ruin Your Future
How to Win More Faceoffs, With Columbus Blue Jackets Captain Boone Jenner