Athletes’ Perceptions of Pragmatic Leadership in Youth Football Coaches

in The Sport Psychologist

Click name to view affiliation

Kurtis Pankow University of Alberta

Search for other papers by Kurtis Pankow in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Amber D. Mosewich University of Alberta

Search for other papers by Amber D. Mosewich in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
, and
Nicholas L. Holt University of Alberta

Search for other papers by Nicholas L. Holt in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2018-0186
Keywords:
coaching; qualitative; sport psychology
In Print:
Volume 33: Issue 4
Page Range:
295–303
Restricted access

The overall purpose of this study was to explore athletes’ perceptions of pragmatic leadership in award-winning Canadian youth football coaches. Using a qualitative description methodology, semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 men who had been coached by 5 award-winning youth football coaches. The coaches were classified as pragmatic leaders. Participants’ perceptions of the coaches’ leadership were grouped into 3 main themes: individualized consideration, accountability/responsibility, and solving problems by valuing unique contributions. Because leadership is a process of interpersonal influence, on a practical level these themes may account for key features of the coach–athlete relationship that arise from pragmatic leadership.

The authors are with the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Pankow (pankow@ualberta.ca) is corresponding author.
  • Collapse
  • Expand

The Sport Psychologist

Cover The Sport Psychologist

  • Adie, J.W., Duda, J.L., & Ntoumanis, N. (2012). Perceived coach-autonomy support, basic need satisfaction, and the well- and ill-being of elite youth soccer players: A longitudinal investigation. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 13, 51–59. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2011.07.008

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Amorose, A.J., & Anderson-Butcher, D. (2007). Autonomy-supportive coaching and self-determined motivation in high school and college athletes: A test of self-determination theory. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 8, 654–670. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2006.11.003

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bedell-Avers, K., Hunter, S.T., Angie, A.D., Eubanks, D.L., & Mumford, M.D. (2009). Charismatic, ideological, and pragmatic leaders: An examination of leader–leader interactions. Leadership Quarterly, 20, 299–315. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2009.03.014

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bandura, C.T., & Kavussanu, M. (2018). Authentic leadership in sport: Its relationship with athletes’ enjoyment and commitment and the mediating role of autonomy and trust. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 13, 968–977. doi:10.1177/1747954118768242

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bass, B.M. (1985). Leadership and performance beyond expectations. New York, NY: Free Press.

  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 77–101. doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Camiré, M., Trudel, P., & Forneris, T. (2014). Examining how model youth sport coaches learn to facilitate positive youth development. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 19, 1–17. doi:10.1080/17408989.2012.726975

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Côté, J., & Gilbert, W. (2009). An integrative definition of coaching effectiveness and expertise. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 4, 307–323. doi:10.1260/174795409789623892

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Eagly, A.H., Johannesen-Schmidt, M.C., & Van Engen, M.L. (2003). Transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership styles: A meta-analysis comparing women and men. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 569–591. PubMed ID: 12848221 doi:10.1037/0033-2909.129.4.569

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ekstrand, J., Lundqvist, D., Lagerbäck, L., Vouillamoz, M., Papadimitiou, N., & Karlsson, J. (2018). Is there a correlation between coaches’ leadership styles and injuries in elite football teams? A study of 36 elite teams in 17 countries. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52, 527–531. PubMed ID: 29056596 doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-098001

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gilbert, W.D., & Trudel, P. (2004). Role of the coach: How model youth team sport coaches frame their role. The Sport Psychologist, 18, 21–43. doi:10.1123/tsp.18.1.21

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gould, D., Collins, K., Lauer, L., & Chung, Y. (2007). Coaching life skills through football: A study of award winning high school coaches. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 19, 16–37. doi:10.1080/10413200601113786

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hunter, S.T., Bedell-Avers, K.E., & Mumford, M.D. (2009). Impact of situational framing and complexity on charismatic, ideological and pragmatic leaders: Investigation using a computer simulation. Leadership Quarterly, 20, 383–404. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2009.03.007

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hunter, S.T., Cushenbery, L., Thoroughgood, C., Johnson, J.E., & Ligon, G.S. (2011). First and ten leadership: A historiometric investigation of the CIP leadership model. Leadership Quarterly, 22, 70–91. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2010.12.008

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Jowett, S. (2017). Coaching effectiveness: The coach–athlete relationship at its heart. Current Opinion in Psychology, 16, 154–158. PubMed ID: 28813341 doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.05.006

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Jowett, S., Adie, J.W., Bartholomew, K.J., Yang, S.X., Gustafsson, H., & Lopez-Jiménez, A. (2017). Motivational process in the coach–athlete relationship: A multi-cultural self-determination approach. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 32, 143–152. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.06.004

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kao, S.-F., & Tsai, C.-Y. (2016). Transformational leadership and athlete satisfaction: The mediating role of coach competency. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 28, 469–482. doi:10.1080/10413200.2016.1187685

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kim, J., Gardant, D., Bosselut, G., & Eys, M. (2018). Athlete personality characteristics and informal role occupancy in interdependent sport teams. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 39, 193–203. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.07.011

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kuklick, C.R., Gearity, B.T., & Thompson, M. (2015). Reflective practice in a university-based coach education program. International Sport Coaching Journal, 2, 248–260. doi:10.1123/iscj.2014-0122

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ligon, G.S., Hunter, S.T., & Mumford, M.D. (2008). Development of outstanding leadership: A life narrative approach. Leadership Quarterly, 19, 312–334. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2008.03.005

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lovelace, J.B., & Hunter, S.T. (2013). Charismatic, ideological, and pragmatic leaders’ influence on subordinate creative performance across the creative process. Creativity Research Journal, 25, 59–74. doi:10.1080/10400419.2013.752228

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lovelace, J.B., Neely, B.H., Allen, J.B., & Hunter, S.T. (2019). Charismatic, ideological, & pragmatic (CIP) model of leadership: A critical review and agenda for future research. Leadership Quarterly, 30(1), 96–110. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2018.08.001

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Milne, J., & Oberle, K. (2005). Enhancing rigour in qualitative description. Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing, 32, 413–420. PubMed ID: 16301909 doi:10.1097/00152192-200511000-00014

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Mumford, M.D. (2006). Pathways to outstanding leadership: A comparative analysis of charismatic, ideological, and pragmatic leadership. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Mumford, M.D., & Van Doorn, J.R. (2001). The leadership of pragmatism: Reconsidering Franklin in the age of charisma. Leadership Quarterly, 12, 279–309. doi:10.1016/S1048-9843(01)00080-7

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Neergaard, M.A., Olesen, F., Andersen, R.S., & Sondergaard, J. (2009). Qualitative description—The poor cousin of health research? BMC Medical Research Methodology, 9, 52. PubMed ID: 19607668 doi:10.1186/1471-2288-9-52

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Pankow, K., Mosewich, A.D., & Holt, N.L. (2018). The development of leadership among model youth football coaches. The Sport Psychologist, 32, 253–262. doi:10.1123/tsp.2017-0129

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Patton, M.Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Rathwell, S., Bloom, G.A., & Loughead, T.M. (2014). Head coaches’ perceptions on the roles, selection, and development of the assistant coach. International Sport Coaching Journal, 1, 5–16. doi:10.1123/iscj.2013-0008

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rowald, J. (2006). Transformational and transactional leadership in martial arts. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 18, 312–325. doi:10.1080/10413200600944082

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rubin, H.J., & Rubin, I.S. (2012). Qualitative interviewing: The art of hearing data. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Sandelowski, M. (2000). Whatever happened to qualitative description? Research in Nursing & Health, 23, 334–340. PubMed ID: 10940958 doi:10.1002/1098-240X(200008)23:4%3C334::AID-NUR9%3E3.0.CO;2-G

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sandelowski, M. (2010). What’s in a name? Qualitative description revisited. Research in Nursing & Health, 33, 77–84. PubMed ID: 20014004 doi:10.1002/nur.20362

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sparkes, A.C. (1992). Research in physical education and sport: Exploring alternate visions. Bristol, PA: Taylor & Francis.

  • Steinberg, L. (2005). Cognitive and affective development in adolescence. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 9, 69–74. PubMed ID: 15668099 doi:10.1016/j.tics.2004.12.005

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Strange, J.M., & Mumford, M.D. (2005). The origins of vision: Effects of reflection, models, and analysis. Leadership Quarterly, 16, 121–148. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2004.07.006

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Thoroughgood, C.N., & Sawyer, K.B. (2018). Who wants to follow the leader? Using personality and work value profiles to predict preferences for charismatic, ideological, and pragmatic styles of leading. Journal of Business and Psychology, 33, 181–202. doi:10.1007/s10869-016-9486-1

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Trudel, P., & Gilbert, W. (2006). Coaching and coach education. In D. Kirk, D. Macdonald, & M. O’sullivan (Eds.), Handbook of physical education (pp. 516–539). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Turnnidge, J., & Côté, J. (2018). Applying transformational leadership theory to coaching research in youth sport: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 16, 327–342. doi:10.1080/1612197X.2016.1189948

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Uhl-Bien, M., Riggio, R.E., Lowe, K.B., & Carsten, M.K. (2014). Followership theory: A review and research agenda. Leadership Quarterly, 25, 83–104. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2013.11.007

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Vella, S.A., Oades, L.G., & Crowe, T.P. (2010). The applications of coach leadership models to coaching practice: Current state and future directions. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 5, 425–434. doi:10.1260/1747-9541.5.3.425

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Vella, S.A., Oades, L.G., & Crowe, T.P. (2013). The relationship between coach leadership, the coach–athlete relationship, team success, and the positive developmental experiences of adolescent soccer players. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 18, 549–561. doi:10.1080/17408989.2012.726976

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Weber, M. (1924). The theory of social and economic organizations. New York, NY: Free Press.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 2761 791 59
Full Text Views 143 9 1
PDF Downloads 122 15 2