As a sports manager, you have to deal with various challenges and opportunities in the dynamic and competitive world of sports. Whether you work for a team, an organization, or an individual athlete, you need to have the skills and qualities to lead effectively and achieve your goals. In this article, we will explore some of the key aspects of leadership in sports management and how you can develop them.
One of the first steps to lead as a sports manager is to have a clear and compelling vision of what you want to accomplish and why. A vision is a statement of your desired future state that guides your actions and decisions. It should reflect your values, your purpose, and your passion for sports. To define your vision, you can ask yourself questions such as: What are your short-term and long-term objectives? What are the needs and expectations of your stakeholders? How do you want to contribute to the sports industry and society? How do you measure your success?
I'm all about painting a vivid picture of what everyone can achieve, inspiring folks not just to see but to believe in the vision genuinely. It's about finding the right folks to join the journey and ensuring they have all the tools they need - from skilled teammates to budgets. Then, it's all about stepping back and letting their creativity soar. For instance, back in NOLA, I dreamed of making our mark in Oceania, particularly in New Zealand and Australia. So, I rallied the perfect squad, gave them the needed resources, and let them work their magic. The result? We made NBA history by securing a deal with an Aussie company - something I'm incredibly proud of. It shows what's possible when you dream big and gives people the space to shine.
It's all about giving a team member the wings (tools,) to fly. It's also about making them believe in themselves enough to know that flight is possible.
Very simple answer, I lead in sports management via sports franchise ownership. I would have to measure my leadership effectiveness or success(es) by the number of wins of the team owned.
Another essential skill for leading as a sports manager is communication. Communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, and emotions with others. It involves not only speaking and writing, but also listening, observing, and understanding. As a sports manager, you need to communicate effectively with different audiences, such as your staff, your clients, your partners, and the media. You also need to adapt your communication style and methods to different situations and contexts, such as meetings, presentations, negotiations, and crises. To communicate effectively, you can use techniques such as: Using clear and concise language, avoiding jargon and ambiguity; Using positive and respectful tone, avoiding criticism and blame; Using appropriate body language, gestures, and eye contact; Asking open-ended questions, encouraging feedback and participation; Using stories, examples, and analogies, making your message relevant and memorable.
One key factor which I found to be useful over the years as a sports manager is to find a balance between having empathy for your staff and being firm on your stance and instructions. A two way communication is essential for this to happen. Over time, trust and respect can be gradually formed, ultimately becoming one of the factors to build successful and effective sports management team.
A third key aspect of leadership in sports management is building trust and relationships. Trust is the foundation of any successful collaboration and cooperation. It is the belief that others are reliable, honest, and competent. Relationships are the connections and interactions that you have with others. They are based on mutual respect, understanding, and support. As a sports manager, you need to build trust and relationships with your internal and external stakeholders, such as your employees, your customers, your suppliers, and your competitors. You also need to maintain and nurture them over time. To build trust and relationships, you can practice behaviors such as: Showing integrity, consistency, and accountability; Showing empathy, compassion, and appreciation; Showing competence, expertise, and professionalism; Showing openness, transparency, and feedback; Showing collaboration, cooperation, and compromise.
A fourth important skill for leading as a sports manager is inspiring and motivating. Inspiring and motivating are the processes of influencing others to perform at their best and achieve their potential. They involve creating a positive and engaging work environment, setting clear and challenging goals, providing recognition and rewards, and offering guidance and support. As a sports manager, you need to inspire and motivate your team, your clients, and yourself. You also need to cope with stress, setbacks, and failures. To inspire and motivate, you can apply strategies such as: Sharing your vision, values, and passion; Aligning individual and organizational goals and interests; Providing feedback, coaching, and mentoring; Celebrating successes and learning from mistakes; Encouraging creativity, innovation, and risk-taking.
A fifth essential aspect of leadership in sports management is developing yourself and others. Developing yourself and others is the process of acquiring and enhancing knowledge, skills, and abilities that are relevant and valuable for your current and future roles. It involves identifying your strengths and weaknesses, seeking learning opportunities, and applying your learning to your practice. As a sports manager, you need to develop yourself and others continuously and systematically. You also need to foster a culture of learning and growth in your organization. To develop yourself and others, you can implement actions such as: Assessing your current and desired competencies and performance; Creating a personal and professional development plan; Participating in formal and informal learning activities; Sharing your knowledge and experience with others; Seeking feedback and advice from others.
A sixth and final skill for leading as a sports manager is adapting and innovating. Adapting and innovating are the processes of responding to changes and challenges in the sports industry and creating new and better ways of doing things. They involve analyzing trends and opportunities, experimenting with new ideas and methods, and implementing changes and improvements. As a sports manager, you need to adapt and innovate constantly and proactively. You also need to lead and manage change effectively in your organization. To adapt and innovate, you can follow steps such as: Scanning the external and internal environment for changes and challenges; Evaluating the impact and implications of changes and challenges; Generating and selecting ideas and solutions; Testing and refining ideas and solutions; Communicating and executing ideas and solutions.