How to Call Out (and Lift Up) a Teammate

I’ve often been asked, “How do you call out a teammate?”

First — let’s rethink “call out.”

If your goal is to help, then say that: help a teammate.

My grandpa always said, “Be good to each other.”
Here’s how to do that when you’re helping a teammate:

✅ Be clear & specific.
“You suck” doesn’t help.

✅ Ask permission. Try:
🔹 “You okay with me challenging you?”
🔹 “Can I tell you something I’ve noticed?”
🔹 Or a Gregg Popovich classic:
“I’m telling you this because I have high expectations of you — and I think you can meet them.”

✅ Pull them aside privately.
Embarrassment destroys trust.

✅ Be mindful of your tone.
You’re trying to help, not win.

✅ Offer suggestions.
Share what’s worked for you when you’ve struggled.

✅ Be ready to listen.
They might not love what you’re saying at first — and that’s okay.

When You’re the One Being Challenged

It’s natural to dismiss feedback immediately.
But that means you haven’t really thought about it.

Instead, try:
🔹 “Let me think about that so we can talk about it later.”
🔹 “I’ll take that into consideration.”

Use these guidelines both when challenging yourself and when being challenged.

Change the conversation to mental fitness.
Let’s schedule a keynote, training, group, or one-on-one session.
Take action — and have conversations that create lasting change for you, your team, and the world around you.