Leadership in sport

Question 1

Characteristics of effective leaders

Answer 1

• good communication skills
• high motivation
• enthusiasm
• a clear goal or vision of what needs to be achieved
• empathy
• knowledge of the sport or being good at the sport
• charisma

Question 2

Emergent and prescribed leaders

Answer 2

1. Emergent leader

• becomes a leader through their hard work and determination
• people that look up and respect them help them become a leader
• they may be skilful I their sport

2. Prescribed leaders

• someone appointed by people of a higher authority

Question 3

The 3 leadership styles

Answer 3

1. Autocratic
2. Democratic
3. Laissez-faire

Question 4

Autocratic leadership style and when it is used

Answer 4

• task-oriented and director style
• leader makes all the decisions and is very direct in their approach

Used when -

• discipline and control is needed
• situation is dangerous or task is unclear
• there is a lack of time
• novice performers and males tend to like this style

Question 5

Democratic leadership style and when it is used

Answer 5

• person-oriented and takes into account the team members ideas and feelings
• leaders show interest in others

Used when:

• when group members want to be involved in decision making
• if the situation is not dangerous
• with small teams or individuals
• advanced performers and females tend to like this style

Question 6

Laissez-faire leadership style and when it is used

Answer 6

• leader provides little support or input and lets team members do as they wish

Used when:

• with high level performers or elite athletes
• with developing creativity for team members
• when leader can fully trust members capabilities
• when group is being assessed
• if leader is incompetent

Question 7

Theories of leadership

Answer 7

1. Trait theory
2. Social learning theory
3. Interactionist theory

Question 8

Trait theory

Answer 8

• leaders are born with their leadership qualities
• these traits are stable and can be generalised across different situation
• great leaders are born not made

Question 9

Social learning theory

Answer 9

• leader characteristics can be learned from others
• behaviour of others is watched and copied

Question 10

Interactionist theory

Answer 10

• an individual may have certain in-born traits
• traits are not evident unless a situation demands the leadership behaviour
• people may not be leaders in everyday life but show leadership qualities in sport situations

Question 11

Components on Chelladurai’s multi-dimensional model of leadership

Answer 11

1. Situational characteristics - environmental conditions eg activity, number of people in the group, strength of opposition
2. Leader characteristics - the personality, skill level, experience of the leader
3. Member characteristics - what is the group like?
4. Required behaviour - what style of leadership is needed for this task?
5. Actual behaviour - what does the elder actually chose to do?
6. Preferred behaviour - what leadership style does the group prefer?
7. Performance and satisfaction - the overall performance of the members and the leader and the level of satisfaction