USU Basketball head coach talks on communication

First introductions are always remembered. This was one of the topics Ben Jacobson, the new Utah State University Men’s Basketball head coach, discussed in a workshop on communication in partnership with the Stephen R. Covey Leadership Center. The workshop served as Jacobson’s first introduction to many students attending the workshop. It was attended by an estimated 150 students and even Sage, the USU Police dog.   

As part of the introduction, the question was asked how you would spend eight extra hours in the day. Jacobson responded by saying he would spend them with the team and fishing with his son. He then went on to demonstrate how fishing with his son taught him a valuable lesson. 

“Instead of saying, ‘Hunt, let’s go over here,’ I said, ‘Hunt, where do you want to go?’” Jacobson said. Asking that question led his son to catch his first small-mouth bass. Jacobson recalled that this taught him the importance of listening to others instead of just talking.  

The remarks about family had an impact on the students, especially Tyler Roberts, a recent USU graduate and program coordinator at the Covey Leadership Center.  

“I think it’s cool that he’s so close to his family. That was a huge takeaway for me,” Roberts said. “He’s this huge, successful coach, yet he looks up to his dad and his grandpa, and I’m sure he’s an incredible dad as well, as he shared stories about his children.” 

Jacobson continued to talk about how you present yourself and communication are related.  

“Very important to me — how we represent ourselves, how we represent our family, how we represent you as our student body, how we represent our university, how we represent our friends that support us,” Jacobson said. “One of the ways is in our communication.” 

He then talked about how essential nonverbal communication is for that. 

“Body language, eye contact, tone of voice, that piece of it. Here’s maybe the one point I would love to impress upon you,” Jacobson said. “It’s hard to know how much impact it has on the people you are talking with.” 

Roberts thought the discussion on body language was impactful.  

“I think a lot of leaders or coaches in today’s world can degrade people, and they think that that’s leadership and cracking down on them and being harsh, getting people in line, which I’m sure he still does,” Roberts said. “I love how much he talks about body language and the words you choose has such a big effect on the confidence of your players, and so that’s what I got that he wants to instill the players with belief instead of fear, and I think that’s going to be powerful.” 

Jacobsen ended his workshop with his six rules for communication: share congratulations and good news ASAP; be curious; be a great listener; be intentional, thoughtful and positive; be who you are — willing to grow and get uncomfortable; and send handwritten notes and cards. 

This workshop was offered as part of the leadership credential offered through the Covey Leadership Center. According to Roberts, anyone can come to the seminars, but if they want to participate more, the leadership credential offers something they can put on their resume.  

“I always leave inspired to be a better version of me, and it’s not just the speakers, the community here, like the people you rub shoulders with, the students here,” Roberts said, talking about the Covey Leadership Center. “Everyone is here to become a better version of themselves.” 

Roberts then shared even more about why he loves the Covey Leadership Center. 

“A second reason why is it helps you turn outward,” Roberts said. “My freshman year here at Utah State, I got to be teaching leadership conferences to elementary kids, and it was so refreshing because college is so much about me, me, me — my decisions, my dating — and I got to turn outwards and just teach some kiddos about leadership, and it was the most fulfilling days of my freshman year, and it got me hooked.” 

The Covey Leadership Center holds similar workshops all year with special guest speakers. More information can be found on their website, https://huntsman.usu.edu/leadership/.