Most, if not all, sports are still games at their core. That matters. Before trophies, scholarships, contracts, or status, sport should be fun first, especially for the players. It should not matter whether you are in the World Cup final or in a pickup game at the neighborhood court. We […]
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In this episode of the Culture in Sports Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Jeremy Piasecki and Sydney Moore discuss the complexities of youth sports, focusing on the implications of early specialization, the socioeconomic factors influencing participation, and the mental and emotional well-being of young athletes. They delve into the importance of allowing […]
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Collaboration and teamwork are indispensable in the world of sports coaching. An organization wheremembers function harmoniously as a team can effectively leverage individual strengths, mitigateweaknesses, and achieve collective success. As John C. Maxwell famously said, “Teamwork makes thedream work” (2002). This quote underscores the power of collaboration and the integral […]
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When we see a successful team, we recognize the players for their extraordinary talent and capabilities. However, the reason they get there is incredible coaching. A study by The Harris Public Policy believes that the coaches are responsible for 20-30% of the team’s outcome. This proves how coaches are a […]
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Strong relationships are the cornerstone of any successful organization. In the realm of sports coaching,the significance of building solid relationships with peers, athletes, and stakeholders cannot beunderstated (Jowett, 2017). In the world of sports, collaboration is vital. Coaches work closely with their peers—fellow coaches,trainers, and team managers. These relationships can […]
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In the realm of sports coaching, there’s a pivotal question that often gets overlooked: “Is this theathletes’ team, too?” This seemingly straightforward inquiry holds profound implications for how coachingshould be approached and implemented. The ethos of player-centered coaching suggests that itis the athletes’ team (Côté & Gilbert, 2009). Modern coaching […]
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The role of a coach extends beyond the conventional dimensions of instructing players about the game’stechnicalities or designing play strategies. At its core, coaching is about fostering an environment thatbolsters growth, inspires the pursuit of excellence, and provides the necessary support to each individualin achieving their goals (Lyle & Cushion, […]
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As coaches and leaders, we often tend to focus on our strengths, believing that our success is contingentupon leveraging what we do best. While our strengths are undeniably critical, it is equally important toacknowledge our perceived weaknesses and work collaboratively with others to mitigate their impact. “Strength does not come […]
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Sports is widely agreed upon as being an essential component of a student’s exercise program. However, many students display fear and avoid any physical activity in particular sports. From this point, coaches may draw upon positive psychology to indicate positive principles and instructions, helping players understand what is good and […]
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Many athletes have experienced what it’s like to leave the court or field and prepare themselves mentally only to have coaches criticize them for a subpar performance. Players just need some time to think things through since they’ve heard enough. On the flip side, coaches feel compelled to speak frankly […]
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A coach I know called me last week saying she didn’t know who else to talk to about a problem. What she brought up is one too few athletic administrators give coaches much advice about how to cut a player. Cutting a player is among the most difficult things a […]
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In the rapidly evolving work and coaching environments, finding alignment between individual and organizational goals is of paramount importance. Aligning coaches’ personal aspirations with strategic organizational goals significantly and positively impacts the team and organization’s performance and competitiveness. It is critical to understand the differentiation between personal and organizational goals. […]
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Many coaches grapple with differentiating their personal aspirations from their coaching goals, and how these two facets can be harmoniously intertwined. While personal goals tend to revolve around the coach’s individual development, coaching goals are generally linked to the team’s progress and achievements. Personal goals can vary widely amongst coaches—ranging […]
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Lao Tzu, an ancient philosopher once said: “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power”. In coaching, the journey towards self-improvement and personal mastery is not just beneficial, it is crucial. This journey starts with a critical question: What is […]
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Listen to Dr. Jeremy Piasecki and Aron McGuire, the CEO of USA Bobsled & Skeleton, discuss culture, leadership, stakeholders, competence, character, and the different pathways to success.
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Listen to Dr. Jeremy Piasecki and Ben Gucciardi, of Soccer Without Borders, speak about culture, relationships, trust, feeling valued, connection, mental health, intention, social isolation, and developing people.
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Watch as Dr. Jeremy Piasecki, Chris Snyder, of i9 Sports, and some special guests speak about developing athletes, youth sports, team culture, positive leadership, trust, changing the way we coach, respect, and making awesome happen. Chris Snyder is a finalist for Culture in Sports 2023 Sports Leader of the Year […]
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Listen to Dr. Jeremy Piasecki, Chris Snyder, of i9 Sports, and some special guests speak about developing athletes, youth sports, team culture, positive leadership, trust, changing the way we coach, respect, and making awesome happen. Chris Snyder is a finalist for Culture in Sports 2023 Sports Leader of the Year […]
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Unpacking Individual and Collective Purpose in Sports Leadership Understanding one’s purpose in any venture can be the defining factor that determines success or failure, joy or discontent. The same holds for sports coaching, an occupation where the stakes can be high, and the payoff is often more about personal fulfillment […]
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Coaching in sports goes beyond the realm of performance metrics and winning strategies. It shapes the culture of an organization and profoundly impacts athletes’ lives. At the core of this influence are the organization’s values, the guiding principles that help to navigate the complexities of the coaching role. Values of […]
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Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are essential elements in effective leadership, including sports coaching. Defined as the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others, emotional intelligence has emerged as a key factor contributing to effective coaching and leadership (Goleman, 1995). The Components of Emotional […]
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In the arena of sports coaching, personal values and beliefs act as an invisible guiding hand, shaping our interactions, decisions, and coaching practices (Hardy, Jones, & Gould, 1996). The Role of Values and Beliefs in Coaching Values represent the principles we consider important, guiding our behavior and decisions (Rokeach, 1973). […]
Read More The journey to becoming the best version of oneself is a personal and unique path that requires introspection, understanding, and a commitment to self-improvement. This journey is not about reaching a state of perfection but embracing constant evolution and growth. Unpacking ‘The Best Version of Myself’ The concept of the […]
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This week on The Athletic Approach Manisha and Kristen dive into the impact & influence of women and girls in sports. Do women have a significant presence within the coaching ranks? What level of influence do women and girls in sport have on the next generation of athletes?
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Authenticity has emerged as a critical aspect of effective leadership and coaching. Leadership researchers often cite authenticity as a key characteristic of successful leaders, linking it to improved leadership effectiveness and employee engagement (Banks et al., 2016). Understanding Authenticity Authenticity involves aligning actions with inner values and beliefs, embracing one’s […]
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In the realm of sports coaching, this insight from da Vinci always holds true: “All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions”. Our perceptions and biases, often operating subconsciously, can significantly positively or negatively impact our coaching practices and decisions. Understanding Perceptions and Biases Perceptions refer to the way […]
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“Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their growth,” said legendary business coach, Sir John Whitmore. This sentiment rings true across all coaching domains, including sports. The passion for coaching sports goes beyond winning games; it is about nurturing talent, fostering personal growth, and inspiring others to achieve their […]
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The realm of leadership and sports coaching is complex and multifaceted, with countless variables influencing outcomes. However, one factor stands out as particularly foundational: self-understanding. As leadership expert John C. Maxwell once said, “You must know yourself to grow yourself” (2015). This profound statement encapsulates the essence of why self-understanding […]
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Coaches do make mistakes. Are these “mistakes” intentional or actual mistakes that a human being can make? Are coaches and other sports leaders willing to self reflect, identify toxic and abusive behavior, and take corrective action? Or will they double down on their behavior at the expense of others? We, […]
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Teri McKeever, former head coach of the University of California, Berkeley’s women’s swimming and diving program, was recently fired due to allegations of toxicity and abuse from former athletes and staff. These allegations have been reported over many years by athletes, and have adversely impacted the short and long-term mental, […]
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In the final episode of season one the hosts breakdown common misconceptions when it comes to what a Sport Psychologist produces and experiences.
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This week’s episode breaks down the different scenarios and dynamics involved with relationships in sport. How can we get to know each other as people, deeper than just a coach player model.
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In this weeks episode the team breaks down the different facets of identity and how it relates to sports performance. Determining what kind of parts of identity allow us to get through challenges.
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In todays episode Bryce and Manisha break down the dynamics of goal setting. Reflect and re-evaluate, its ok that your goals can change. Develop a roadmap to combat challenges to your goals.
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In todays sport mental performance conversation, hosts Bryce and Manisha discuss routines, how each sport requires a different focus, and focus control.
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Since my daughter was in middle school, me and my wife have told both of our kids to make good choices…and not eat yellow snow. Even though our daughter is 21 and our son is 17, we still say it repeatedly to them, well to make good choices, that is. […]
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Breaking down the importance of creating resiliency as an individual athlete, which can lead to mental toughness as a team culture.
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Using mental reps to get positive outcomes for yourself, through being able to use your imagination. What’s the difference between day dreaming and being able to see positive benefits from imaginations?
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The last few articles I’ve written here have been primarily focused on different Mental Skills and helping athletes reach their full potential and become the best athletes and people they can be. But we also understand that sports aren’t always sunshine and rainbows. Competitive sports can bring us some down […]
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Manisha and Bryce discuss the importance of mental performance and motivation for athletes, teams, coaches, organizations, culture, and leadership.
Read More Manisha and Bryce discuss the importance of mental performance and motivation for athletes, teams, coaches, organizations, culture, and leadership.
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Manisha and Bryce discuss the importance of mental performance for athletes, teams, coaches, organizations, culture, and leadership.
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Manisha and Bryce discuss the importance of mental performance for athletes, teams, coaches, organizations, culture, and leadership.
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When I say the word ‘Leader’, we all probably think of someone different. Some of us may see a former coach, a player on our team, or someone entirely unrelated to sports. Leaders are everywhere, in every field, but sports is where my mind goes to first when thinking of […]
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Tom Brady had a tough game this past Sunday. Teammates, coaches, analysts, and fans can all speculate what happened on Sunday, but Tom Brady is the only one who truly knows what he was going through mentally, physically, and emotionally. Being an athlete at such high level is difficult enough. […]
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Back in the Summer of 2021, a time no one really remembers because time in this pandemic has truly been a flat circle, without much context within it, only recollections from before and some sense of the now as things seemingly have progressed, I wrote a series of articles on […]
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Yesterday, Bryce Strecker wrote about “The ability to focus can become your secret weapon“. It was an extremely informative article that dove deep into understanding focus and assisting athletes to better focus. If you have not read Bryce’s article yet, you must take a few minutes to not only read […]
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I’ll be the first person to admit that I struggle to focus pretty often. I have a real ‘wanderer’ of a mind and that can make things difficult for me. Whether it’s trying to get myself to sit down and finish writing this article or getting myself to actually pay […]
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Have you ever had a coach tell you that she believed in you? If you did, that coach may have been onto something. That same coach probably told you that he was proud of you or maybe even said that she loved your effort or hard work. When you reflect […]
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Confidence… It’s something we hear about all the time both inside and outside competitive sports. It’s such a subjective topic that means something different to every person who talks about it, so I want to take a deeper dive into Confidence because it plays such a huge role in an […]
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Readers, Justin “Jolly” Rogers is a remarkable athlete and person who recently broke the Pennsylvania State Meet AAA record with a vault of 17 feet 3 inches … utterly remarkable. Not only is he talented, but Jolly embodies what it means to respect not only a sport, but also his […]
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This week Wes and Mike interviewed Californian soccer player, Samantha Johnson, who has been involved in the game since she was five years old. Samantha came from a culture of team bonding and this she cites as the reason for her positive experiences in sport growing up. Samantha supports the […]
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This episode provides a glimpse into the world of soccer with Samantha Johnson. She discusses how she sought mentorship at different points in her life. We’ll also hear how important team bonding is, and so much more.
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In this episode with Jacoby and Jaylen Jackson we get to listen to experiences with having a parent heavily involved in your sport. Jay speaks on having his dad on and off the court practicing, and learning the fundamentals of leadership.
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Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the most well-known football managers in the world but in particular in the UK and within Premier League football. This is due to his success as manager of Manchester United for 26 years between 1986 – 2013. In his time at Manchester United, Sir […]
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In this episode with jacoby and jaylen jackson we get to listen to experiences with having a parent heavily involved in your sport. Jay speaks on having his dad on and off the court practicing, and learning the fundamentals of leadership.
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In the third episode of the second season of the Culture in Sports podcasts, Wes and Mike talk to World ParaVolley Sports Director Lori Okimura. Born and raised in Hawaii, Okimura grew up loving sports and has spent her professional career in a variety of areas in volleyball and coaching. […]
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Carlo Ancelotti is one of the most well known and successful coaches in the world of football. He’s managed many big clubs such as Chelsea and Bayern Munich and is currently at Real Madrid for the second time. He has already confirmed the Spanish league title being Real Madrid’s 35th […]
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On this episode we discuss with Lori Okimura how important the behind the scenes support is for all athletes. From the Olympics volunteering, to breaking down the importance of behind the scenes and what that entails, and helping athletes understand the transition into the workforce.
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This past weekend saw the final of the snooker World Championships take place at the Crucible in Sheffield, England. The final was between Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan who was looking to equal the record for most wins in the competition’s history matching Stephen Hendry’s 7 titles. The match was […]
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This is without question a time of dynamic change or just plain turmoil in college sports. The last month has seen more than its share, culminating in last Tuesday’s announcement by National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) president Mark Emmert that he plans to step down either as soon as a […]
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Today’s short video has Gerard Fanthom introducing himself and discussing what he does at Culture in Sports Link for the article is here: https://cultureinsports.com/why-jurgen-klopp-is-one-of-the-best-coaches-in-football/
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Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese footballer who many argue is the greatest to have ever played the game. He currently plays for Manchester United but has also played for Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Over his incredible career he has won 32 trophies including 3 Premier Leagues, 2 La […]
Read More Last week, Owen Woodward of the Weatherford College baseball team decided to run at full speed and tackle a base runner after his home run hit. While baseball is not known for hits, fights, punches, or other close quarters fighting, there is occasionally a flareup. Woodward was provoked by choice […]
Read More Amateur sports organizations everywhere are making headlines for the wrong reasons. Whether it is human rights abuses casting a shadow over the Winter Olympics, less than desired performances in a long-delayed Summer Olympics, or calls for resignation by the athletes, sports organizations are under fire. Amateur sports are facing unprecedented […]
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Steelers’ quarterback Dwayne Haskins was recently involved in a tragic fatal accident on April 9, 2022. As his family, fans, and the sport mourned his loss, sportswriter and analyst Adam Schefter came out with an inappropriate and unprofessional message on Twitter. Schefter wrote, “Dwayne Haskins, a standout at Ohio State […]
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Jurgen Klopp is a German football (soccer) manager who is currently in charge of Liverpool Football Club. He has had successes in his home country when managing Borussia Dortmund winning the Bundesliga twice, a German Cup and the German Super Cup twice too. He also came very close to an […]
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In this golden age of plenty, we are surprisingly lacking the essentials more profoundly that ever before. I read an article which bemoans the increasing lack of sporting facilities in modern urban Australian cities. Obviously covid put paid to many sporting plans, venues and pools were closed, new construction not […]
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I was in a debate with someone about the ‘power’ in an organization. The gentleman in question was adamant that the power came from the team and that they are responsible for the culture of the work environment. I’m of the belief that the captain steers the ship and guides […]
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Last weekend was the Argentinian Grand Prix in MotoGP and history was made as the Aprillia team won their first race as did one of their riders Aleix Espargaro. At the Termas de Rio Honda Circuit Aleix Espargaro took pole position in qualifying and came through on the Sunday to […]
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I’ll return to my roots as a librarian for this entry. A book came to my notice the other day; “Coaching Wisdom: Champion Coaches and Their Players Share Successful Leadership Principles: How Tony Dungy, Lou Holtz, Andrea Hudy, Don Shula, John Wooden, and Other Top Coaches Inspired Their Teams to […]
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Tonight, Australia gathered or tuned in to farewell cricketer and sporting icon, Shane Warne. The Melbourne Cricket Grounds (MCG), where Warney was most celebrated, hosted the momentous event which featured politicians and celebrities and was broadcast live across Australia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and the UK – all places where […]
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Athletic success – what does that mean to you? The truth is that it likely means many different things to many different people. Think about it … if you were an athlete (or still are) you understand that Athletic Success goes way beyond solely Athletic Performance. We at Culture in […]
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Be something you’re not … so easy, right? (Hopefully obvious sarcasm) Any serious athlete has experienced this; you step up to a challenge, evolve as a competitor, overcome a personal barrier, or just (let’s be frank) kick your opponent’s butt. (I wanted to use a different word for “butt”) Athletes […]
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Do you remember the first time you started playing with a ball? You probably felt an inner joy and enjoyed throwing, kicking, spinning, and juggling that ball. It did not matter what size the ball was, what it was made out of, or even what kind of ball it was. […]
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I read Jacob Hensh’s article True Coaches: Creating A Happy Sunset For Someone Else for Culture in Sports yesterday and recalled a conversation I had with him recently of why people decide to coach. We discussed coaches who wanted to win, have power, influence over others, live the life they […]
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A true Coach is not really in it for themselves, he/she is in it for the athlete and the people they care about. They’re creating a future for the family they’ve chosen, i.e, a happy life for them. (Just imagine sitting on a beach at sunset with your feet in […]
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In the course of reviewing titles for my school library, I have come across a book written by Darrin Donnelly called “Relentless Optimism” This little gem tells the tale of Bobby Kane and his encounter with the legendary and inspirational coach Wally Hogan. As an Australian, I’m not very familiar […]
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Values in any sports organization are extremely important. Values of the organization show coaches, staff, and athletes what is important for the organization. CEO, presidents, GMs, and coaches’ values show what they believe, what they have learned, and who they are. With all of these different values, from so many […]
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The principles of ethical leadership include honesty, justice, respect, community and integrity, these are of foremost importance in any environment and are perhaps even more important than having knowledge of the sport in which an individual is leader. The ability to navigate complex situations and be guided by well-honed perceptions of […]
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Greatness, no matter how long, sticks with a man. (Yes, I used the Gene Hackman reference from The Replacements again) But what is seldom thought about is, “What about greatness at an athlete’s early age?” I believe these situations have more potential to crush an athlete than potential to help […]
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I was reading a social media post about bad behavior in relationships and I was astounded by the statement “boys will be boys”. Is this perhaps a sterling example of poor or toxic behavior being normalized in society? Thomas Roulet, a professor of organisational theory at the University of Cambridge […]
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Combining my studies, my job, this crazy condition we find ourselves in globally, and the topics I explore for Culture in Sports, I have found that the most prevalent unifying issue is the constancy of change and how we manage it. The culture of an organisation can be made or […]
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“Greatness, no matter how brief, stays with a man.” (A quote from the great actor Gene Hackman at the end of the superb Sport drama The Replacements, yeah I am indeed “fanboying” that performance) But what is greatness? Is it a Division-1 athlete who excels and wins a National title? […]
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The life of John Madden, who died on December 28, 2021, is a compelling story of a quintessential teacher and coach. It leaves us some clear lessons though to be drawn from his long, good, and unique life. Madden was of course an NFL Hall of Fame coach and a […]
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The week between Christmas and New Years Day is a time of quiet reflection on the past year. It’s a time where the world seems to slow down after the buildup to the holiday and takes a few days off before starting all over again in January. As I reviewed […]
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In the latest Culture in Sports podcast, Mike and Wes discuss all things sporting ethics with Bioethics expert and author Art Caplan. Having suffered from Polio as a young person, Art became interested in the field of medical science and physiotherapy before his sporting experiences had developed. As a young […]
Read More Over time, there have been many athletes that could not adapt to higher level competition for a variety of mental, physical, or emotional reasons. Sometimes athletes choose to pursue other directions in their lives or cannot compete at the higher level. There are so many reasons why athletes cannot make […]
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The latest podcast from Culture in Sports features Californian coach, mentor, and elite athlete Ali Williams. Ali discusses her views on toxic culture within her sport of synchronized swimming, now known as artistic swimming, with Wes Livingston and Mike Scaramella. The problems within the culture began to become apparent to […]
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Do you want to watch the video version of this week’s podcast? Here it is! Ali Williams, an Olympic artist swimmer, discusses identifying and experiencing a toxic culture as an elite athlete.
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Ali Williams, an Olympic artistic swimmer, discusses identifying and experiencing a toxic culture as an elite athlete.
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