Judgment, toughness, empathy.

Hustle, Patience, and Strength,

Not a criticism - just want to point out the sometimes toughness and empathy can be at odds with each other. Finding the "right" balance can be a real challenge.

These 3 things
 

1- Be Consistent 2- Respect the game 3- Be in position to make the call

I would say right off the top that if an official doesn't love this game, don't officiate! To truly love this game should make an official, player or coach realize that there is no perfect game, but doing all you can to strive for the perfect game is always a goal. There are many more than three words that can be used to describe how I feel about officiating and this game.

Even if you do it as a hobby and/or don't need the money, it's important to remember that it is a JOB. You're taking money in exchange for the service you provide. That being said, be professional, be courteous and WORK HARD TO GET BETTER. You don't go to work every day and go through the motions, you go there to work hard, try to improve your skills and advance your position. The same rules should apply here.

In addition to that, always be slow to speak and quick to listen with coaches and players.

Thanks!!!
 

Thanks to all who replied....I believe I am on the right track now.:)

Be decisive and project confidence about your own calls and those of your partner(s), even though you may be facing great adversity, and even though you may have doubts of your own.

The Afteraction Report
 

Good luck with your talk. As in officiating, remember to relax and have fun. And let us know how it went.

"What are three words that come to mind as an official?"

"You're gone, coach" ;) ;) ;)

It's your round.

Just curious why you would identify empathy as an important element of officiating?

Empathy: 1. Identification with and understanding of another's feelings, situation, and motives. 2. Attribution of one's own feelings to an object. (Webster's II New Collegiate Dictionary)

You gotta be able to see things from the coaches' perspective in order to achieve long term success. They have to feel that you understand their point of view in order for them to be comfortable with you on their game. Remember, the assignors work for the schools (coaches) not for us.

You are 100% correct, Mark, as usual. They can conflict and cause problems when they do. However, when I was able to understand how the coaches and players view officials, both from the big perspective and on individual calls, it made a huge difference. No different than being a parent, you need the people skills to make your points in the right way. To me, once you have good judgment, the whole key to officiating is knowing how to communicate with partners, coaches, and players to make the game right and enjoyable for everyone. Sometimes you have to be like a parent to the players, sometimes like a spouse to the coaches, and sometimes actually be a prison warden to all of them. That balance is what the truly great ones find. I look for it every game, even "wreck" ball.

Empathy also helps in working with your partners. Nobody has the same philosophies or judgment, but if you can understand were they come from, it's really easy to work with everyone. Nobody goes out to try and do things wrong.

If you think that, then you are 100% incorrect, as usual. :p