Written by Yesterday, Culture in Sports participated in our first webinar. It was with Drexel University’s School of Education’s Sport Coaching Leadership Program. It was a great opportunity for us to share what we are currently working on at Culture in Sports.
In addition to writing every day about all topics within the scope of culture and leadership in sports, we are also conducting research, talking with people, and finding ways that we can help coaches, athletes, support staff, athletes, teams, and organizations navigate through leadership and culture issues, influencing change, and making safe and productive environments for teams.
In yesterday’s webinar, Robert Boland and Alison Williams were amazing with their examples and kept the audience extremely engaged. However, what was most amazing was Alison sharing her own lived experience as an athlete for Team USA and how she still struggles with the long-term physical, mental, and emotional impact of toxic culture. It was eye opening and something that all people that have a role in sports should take a listen to.
There are many more athletes, coaches, and support staff in all sports that have similar stories as Alison. All of us in the sports community really need to take a hard look at the cultures that we create, choices leaders make, and things that are said to athletes and ask if it is really okay. Is it the right thing to do? Is it really okay to treat someone like that?
You can decide for yourself in a recording of the webinar: https://youtu.be/AhOxpo4c3xM. After watching it, you may decide that everything in your organization may not be in the best interest of the athletes and team.