Leadership Behaviors of the Athletic Coaches in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities

CSKLS 2011 Conference- College of the OzarksJune 10, 2011

Dr. Jeff Schouten- Dordt CollegeAssociate Professor of Health and Human Performance/Head Baseball Coach

Where do you start when you research leadership? Christian leadership?◦ Tony Dungy◦ Pat Summitt◦ Bob Knight◦ Mike Martin◦ Jef Field◦ Pat Williams

Revised Leadership Scale for Sport (RLSS) Council for Christian Colleges and

Universities (CCCU)

Overview

What are the self-reported coaching behaviors of the head coaches by sport coached within the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities?

Do differences exist by sport coached among coaches within the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities?

Do differences exist by gender in coaches within the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities?

Research Questions

What are the leadership perspectives of the coaches in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities who scored high and low in the positive feedback category of the Revised Leadership Scale for Sport?

What are the leadership perspectives of the coaches in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities who scored high and low in the democratic category of the Revised Leadership Scale for Sport?

731 head coaches were asked to participate 396 responded 54% return rate

Participants

RLSS◦ Survey Management System- College of

Education-FSU◦ Coaches were emailed requesting their

participation in the study Interviews

Data Collection

Scale Reliabilities ◦ Exploratory Factor Analysis◦ Reliability and Validity- autocratic and situational

consideration Demographics

◦ 320 male, 76 female◦ 58% had ten or less years of coaching experience

Differences among sport coached◦ Democratic, and positive feedback

Differences among gender of coach- no significant differences (democratic= 2.73, positive feedback= 4.07 and 4.06)

Results

Interviews with 15 coaches◦ Bringing glory to God- 3 of 15

Positive feedback◦ Correcting mistakes◦ Team-building

Democratic◦ Communication ◦ Gender

Qualitative Results

Christian coaches- priorities- surprising Gender of athlete- leadership behavior

Continued Results

Review of my leadership style How can my players improve my

effectiveness as a leader? How can my players benefit from my

leadership? Class discussions Focus on developing leaders in our field and

through athletics

Impact on my teaching/coaching

Is there one proven effective leadership style?

How can a future coach learn what their leadership traits are?

Recognize who they represent. Influence those around them spiritually, physically, emotionally, and socially.

How Can We Prepare Future Coaches?