Perception’s of Leadership in the Sports Realm

Donald BigelowResidential Community Director

Brockport Auxiliary Service Corporation

Overview• Break Out• What Leadership is… as defined by Samson & Daft (2003)• Background

– Personal– This Session

• Athletes Perceptions– Break Out

• Coaches Perceptions– Break Out

• Closing/Questions

Break Out – The Ideal Captain• I need two teams

– Preferably those that have played organized team sports that had a captain (1), and a group that did not have this experience (2).

• Each group will use a flip chart to create their team captain– This is Opinion based, no right/wrong answer.– describe a few characteristics/traits.

• Reflect – Do you feel the person that is captain is most deserving? Will they do the best job?

What It Is

• Broadly defined as a behavioral process in which the ability to influence other individuals to pursue a common goal exists. (Samson & Daft, 2003)

• “Athlete leadership may be viewed as an athlete, occupying a formal or informal role within a team, who influences a group of team members to achieve a common goal.” (Vincer et al, 2007)

Background

• Played Varsity Basketball, Soccer, and Baseball in high school.

• Involved in Residence Life since 2006, as an RA and then an RD.• Worked with the Leadership Task Force during the Spring of

2009.– Was able to attend the Leadership Educators Institute held at

Maryland University in December 2008.

• I would like to use Leadership as a platform of experience, wherever I end up.

Background

• This session is based on an essay I completed for my PES 590 course, Administration and Supervision of PE and Athletics.

Purpose of My Paper

• My interest is how students/athletes perceive leadership.

• How do coaches view leadership.

Views From Athleteson Captains

Men

1. Worked hard - 30.1%

2. Leads by example - 21.9%

3. Performance - 16.4%

4. Being vocal Men-2.7%

5. Encouraging the team -2.7%

Women

1. Worked hard - 29.2%

2. Being vocal -18.3%

3. Leads by example - 13.3%

4. Encourage the team -11.7%

5. Performance -9.2%

(Holmes et al, 2006)

Men were found to place more emphasis on work ethic and performance then women

Athlete’s say the leaders were those that:

Views from Athletes• A leader’s personal makeup and attitude along with previous

experience as a leader would help that person be a better leader.

• The second theme or expectation of a team leader should be their verbal interactions.

• The final theme expressed by the hockey players is the leader task behavior.

• The importance of a formally designated team leader, such as “Captains.”

(Dupuis et al, 2006)

Views from Athletes

• Communication• Positive attitude• Respect• Leading by example• Discipline

(Vincer et al, 2007)

Video

• Athletes - Sport Leadership, be a champion • Specific Quotes– Michael Jordan –– Mohamed Ali

Reflect on Personal Experience

• Think of a captain you have had.– How were they selected?– Do you feel this was an appropriate method?– Did they do a successful job?• How do you define success?

Views on Coaches

• “At competitive levels above youth sports, winning is paramount. Thus coaches have great influence on their team, and the coaches’ style, and behaviors have a great effect on the performance of their athletes.” (Murray, 2006

Reflection

• Look back on a coach you have had.– Was the coach a good leader?– What made them a good/poor leader?

• What would you do to ensure you were a good leader?– Strategies?– Methods?

Views from Coaches• “To be a successful leader, you have to be smart,

tough, determined and visionary.”

– 1. Each Player you coach becomes a project.• What motivates each player.

– 2. Keep the Health of each player paramount.• Players thrive on organization.

– 3. Set standards of performance for practice atmosphere.• Prepares for game competition.

– 4. Coach each player who takes a rep in practice.• Sets definitions of the staff’s roles as leaders.

(Shea, 2006)

Do You Want to be a Leader?• Effective Communication• Respect• Work Hard• Experience• Lead by example• Recognize importance of team cohesion

Transferring Information

• How is leadership in sports transferable to daily activities?

• What are daily occurrences when leadership in necessary?

Closing

• Effective Leadership is cited by athletes and coaches as a vital component of achievement, and team cohesion.

• “Inspire teammates to believe they are capable of higher deeds.”

• “Never make a scene on the field that embarrasses a teammate.”

References

• Astin, Helen (2001, January). The Social Change Model of Leadership Development. Retrieved March 24, 2009, from http://www.reslife.cmich.edu/index.php?section=Reslife_Home Web site:http://www.reslife.cmich.edu/index.php?section=Leadership_Opportunities&category=Leadership_Camp&page=Social Change

• Dupuis, M, Bloom, G, & Loughead, Todd (2006). Team Captains' Perceptions of Athlete Leadership. Journal of Sport Behavior. 29, 60-78.

• Holmes, R, McNeil, M, Adorna, P, & Procaccino, J (2006). Collegiate Student Athletes' Preferences and Perceptions Regarding Peer Relationships. Journal of Sport Behavior, 31, 4, 338-351.

• Komives, S.R., Dugan, J.P., Owen, J.E., Slack, C. & Wagner, W. (2006). Handbook for student leadership programs. College Park, MD: National Clearinghouse for Leadership Programs.

• McCrimmon, Mitch (1996-2009). The Social Change Model of Leadership Development. Retrieved March 24, 2009, from Leaders direct Website: http://wwhttp://www.leadersdirect.com/servant.htmlw.reslife.cmich.edu/index.php?section=Leadership_Opportunities&category=Leadership_Camp&page=Social Change

• Samson, D. & Daft, R. (2003). Management. South Melbourne, Victoria: Thomson Learning.• Shea, Terry (2006, May/June). You Win With Leadership. Coach and Athletic Director, 44-45. • Vincer, D, Baker, A, Loughead, Todd, & Munroe-Chandler, K (2007). The role of athlete leadership in

dyadic team sports. Sport and Exercise Psychology, 29, RetrievedFebruary 2, 2009, from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy2.drake.brockport.edu:2048/ehost/pdf?vid=4&hid=115 &sid=1da86b0f-6648-4200-9d3b-aff526698ff2%40sessionmgr104

Questions