Sports Teams as Role Models for all Teams

Berger, J. (n.b) Contagious: Why things catch on. Amazon.com. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/dp/1451686579/?tag=slatmaga-20

Franklin, A., P. (2008). Women and sports: The journey of female college athletes. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, ,116-n/a. The University of Alabama. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/304682717?accountid=142373. (304682717).

Globus, S. (February, 1998). Athletes as role models. Current Health 2, 24, 25-27. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/211709199?accountid=142373

Jeffery, J, K. (2013). Pope tells football players: ‘you are a role model for better or worse’. CSN news. Retrieved from: http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/pope- tells-football-players-you-are-role-model-better-or-worse.

Katz, N. (2001). Sports teams as a model for workplace teams: lessons and liabilities. Academy Of Management Executive, 15(3), 56-67. doi:10.5465/AME.2001.5229533

Langton, N., Robbins, S. (2012). Organizational behaviour: concepts, controversies, applications, 6th Canadian Edition. Pearson Education Canada.

Roa, A., S. (June 4, 2008). Are sports teams good models for workplace teams? Retrieved from http://www.citeman.com/3375-are-sports-teams-good-models-for-workplace-teams.html

Suggs, W. (2005). The role of sports in small – college life. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 51(44), A32-A33. Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com/docview/214678496?accountid=142373.

Sullivan, P., J., & Callow, N. (2005). A cross-cultural examination of the factor structure of the scale for effective communication in team sports. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, And Practice, 9(2), 87-92. doi:10.1037/1089-2699.9.2.87

Warner, J. (n.b). Basketball, football, and hockey are all the same game. Retrieved http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2014/01/aaron_clauset_how_big_ data_reveals_that_basketball_football_and_hockey_are.html

Werner, M. C. (2010). Teamwork is a contact sport: seven skills of high-performance teams. CPA Practice Management Forum, 6(8), 5-10.

Zary, D., (2012). Heartbeat of The community junior a hockey, and the role it plays in Humboldt. Retrieved from: http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2012-rbc-017-en.

Zegers, C. (n.b). NBA vs. NCAA understanding the key differences between pro and college hoops. About.com. Retrieved http://basketball.about.com/od/collegebasketball101/a/nbavsncaa.htm

Sports Teams as Role Models for all Teams

Counterpoint #1

Wins & Losses

• Results of a team’s performance should not just be based on wins. Leadership and teamwork together with success should be valued most.
• Losing streaks are detrimental to sports teams. Teams are scrutinized by fans and the organization. In work teams, losing streaks negatively effect the behaviour of members, therefore it is even more critical to be supportive and motivating instead of emphasizing their faults.
• It is important to remember that failing or losing keeps people grounded and allows room for learning and development. This is necessary within any workplace team.

Point #1

Introduction

Conclusion

Communication

• Good communication skills are integral in teams as they are the foundation for motivation, relaying information, regulating behaviour and expressing emotions (Judge et al., 2013).

• Team members in sports must work together to coordinate game plays using verbal and non-verbal communication even during stressful situations, when it is most difficult. For example, in baseball the umpire uses many verbal and non-verbal signals and gestures to communicate different plays to their team members. In any team, good communication skills are an advantage.

Running a successful sports team takes a lot of factors into account. The pros and cons mentioned are common and are a part of the sports industry.

Everyone within the organization, whether an athlete or owner needs to take responsibility to ensure that they send a positive message to fans and act as role models or else they risk suffering loses and loosing their fan base. Furthermore, sports teams show a great deal of collaboration and leadership and therefore, are great role models for all teams.

Counterpoint #2

Misconduct

• If a player or coach steps out of line or injures somebody they are simply given a penalty, taken out of the game or given a fine. However, in work environments misconduct is not taken lightly. This can lead to a suspension, termination, or worse jail time.
• Many athletes who are good role models are not seen very often in the public eye. The athletes who make headlines outside of their respective sport typically exhibit bad behaviour. They receive far more attention than the real role models.
• Bad behavior has more of an impact on fans because “on-field victories seem to take precedence over any ethical or legal issues involved” (Greenberg, 2013).

Sports teams are looked upon fondly by the public and younger audiences who strive to be just like them (Suggs, 2005). The most important lesson that sports teams teach is that teamwork trumps individual glory. Without support of teammates and the back room staff and other members of the organization, the team will not be successful. No matter what the situation, sports teams like any other business try to fulfill the responsibilities of the society. We, as the public, expect too much from sports teams and athletes (Globus, 2008) and when they produce or carry out their social responsibilities and try to act as role models, we do not appreciate their efforts and try to scrutinize them. In recent times, the awareness has increased and sports teams are reaping the rewards of loyalty, dedication and support from the general public for being good role models and upholding their social responsibilities (Judge, Langton, & Robbins, 2013).

Point #2

Emotional Intelligence & Conflict Resolution

• According to Werner (2010), emotions provide insight about how well the team is progressing, and high performing teams typically respect each other’s feelings and emotions (p. 10).
• Werner also suggests that when a team member sees that another is frustrated, they are taught to identify what triggered the issue and address it proactively (Werner, 2010).
• Conflict is almost always anticipated when working in teams. Although there are many effective conflict resolution styles, the right one to choose for any team should result in a mutually beneficial outcome for both parties (Werner, 2010).

Point #3

Motivation, Leadership & Coaches

• Motivation is the social process that accounts for the intensity, persistence and focus required to achieve a goal (Judge et al., 2013)(Sullivan, 2005).
• Sports teams are motivated to train, to compete and win extrinsic rewards such as medals and trophies. Team members can also be motivated by the intrinsic reward of personal satisfaction (Judge et al., 2013).
• An effective leader knows how to induce motivation by “promoting an “optimal mix of cooperation and competition”(Katz, 2001, p.57).
• Coaches in sports teams are similar to management in workplace teams in that they both need to induce motivation in team members with intrinsic and extrinsic rewards.
• Many sports coaches were former players who like to instill the lessons and training they received while being part of a team. Therefore, all team members have at least some potential to become leaders.

Counterpoint #3

Instant Wealth

• The essence of many sports teams is the money they make. They base their team’s value on how much they are worth and not so much skill. However, workplace teams should value human capital, which is gained through experience and team members.
• Roberts (2013) suggests that pro athletes do not make good role models due to the instant gratification they receive from being drafted at an early age (para. 1). Going from being a broke student to instant wealth typically means frivolous spending will occur.
• Opportunities for gifted athletes are rare, and stray too far from the realities of regular people even if they are athletically gifted too.
• Athletes’ salaries vary depending on skill levels and talent, but in a non-athletic team, if members are all performing the same tasks and get paid differently, there may be some resentment and job satisfaction might suffer.

References