Pre-Game Poll

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by packersowner

Do you ask your partner how much experience they have or do you just know from being around? I find it to be a difficult way to start the conversation especially if I have never met someone. I am not there to start a "measuring" contest. I try to say something like, "Hey , what do you do for a living? How long you have been running in-between the lines?"

Any suggestions on a conversation starter?

My goal is to empower anyone I am working with. I ask them so they can tell me what they have done. I am well known in most situations and people have perceptions of my experience or background. I like to help those get better and know that I am their equal, not someone with just more knowledge because they see me as a past President or current Board Member. So I tend to ask directly "How long have you been officiating?" Also that information in this state is easy to find out as well. I also sometimes ask where they were the day before or the weekend before as well.

I was in sales for years and management, so I love to talk to people and talking to people is never a problem for me. And as a state clinician or board member I get approached all the time about officiating issues. So I have grown to ask whatever I think will break the ice. The more you do this and the more people you know and work with, this usually becomes second nature.

Peace