Performance Leadership and Management in Elite Sport: A Black and White Issue or Different Shades of Grey?

Abstract

In this study, the authors interviewed Olympic athletes about their perceptions of their leaders and managers, with a particular focus on perceptions of negatively valenced and socially undesirable characteristics and their effects. The results highlight five main dark characteristics: self-focused, haughty self-belief, inauthentic, manipulative, and success-obsessed. The findings also indicate negative effects of such characteristics (viz., performance and career threats, affected confidence, pressure and anxiety, and a lack of support) and positive effects of such characteristics (viz., motivation, resilience and coping skills, opportunities, and learning and awareness). Hence, it appears that not only are leaders and managers’ personalities “different shades of grey” but also the effects they have are too. The findings are discussed in relation to previous pertinent research, and with regard to their implications for policy development and future research.

The Global Conference on Education and Research: Volume 3

“…Our findings indicate that leadership styles did not tend to vary by industry except for a significant finding amongst hotel managers. The results of this study support the literature in finding that leaders and managers have complex personalities that impact behaviors and performance (Arnold, Fletcher, & Hobson, 2018). There is not an optimal leadership style (Cutler, 2014) and there is not a "one-sizefits-all" personality model for leadership (Parr, Lanza, & Bernthal, 2016).…”

Values Based Coaching and the Coaches Role in Moral Development

“…Such behaviours, however, are incompatible with virtue ethics and contradict three decades of research into social learning theory (Bandura, 1986) and leadership ethics (Barling, 2014). That said, Arnold, Fletcher and Hobson (2018) offer support to the idea that there is a positive side to negative and abusive coaching. Based on a qualitative study of 11 former Olympians, the athletes interviewed suggested that negative and abusive coaching behaviours may have a positive effect in supporting the development of resilience and preparing athletes for hostile competitive environments.…”

“…Based on a qualitative study of 11 former Olympians, the athletes interviewed suggested that negative and abusive coaching behaviours may have a positive effect in supporting the development of resilience and preparing athletes for hostile competitive environments. However, given that these athletes had achieved a successful career (see Arnold et al, 2018), such beliefs are likely to be influenced by survivorship bias.…”

A Longitudinal Study of Power Relations in a British Olympic Sport Organization

“…In line with Morgan (2006b), we also found that one source of power was how both NGB-1 and individuals in the sport persuaded others to support them and their interests. Arnold, Fletcher, and Hobson (2018) found that so-called "dark leaders" drew their power from people through manipulation. Our findings supported findings of how both coercive and reward power could be used to create networks of subservient followers.…”