TY - JOUR
T1 - Performance Leadership and Management in Elite Sport: A Black and White Issue or Different Shades of Grey?
AU - Arnold, Rachel
AU - Fletcher, David
AU - Hobson, Jennifer
PY - 2018/9/30
Y1 - 2018/9/30
N2 - In this study, we 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” (Arnold & Fletcher, 2012, p. 26) 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.
AB - In this study, we 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” (Arnold & Fletcher, 2012, p. 26) 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.
U2 - 10.1123/jsm.2017-0296
DO - 10.1123/jsm.2017-0296
M3 - Article
SN - 0888-4773
VL - 32
SP - 452
EP - 463
JO - Journal of Sport Management
JF - Journal of Sport Management
IS - 2
ER -