In sport, we celebrate outcomes—medals, records, and championships—as the pinnacle of success. Yet behind every victory stands an often-overlooked foundation: leadership. If we want to create great sport, we must first create great leaders.
Historically, sport has neglected leadership development beyond the technical expertise. Coaches and administrators are typically promoted based on their athletic achievements or technical skills, with minimal preparation for leading people. This outdated approach leaves leaders unprepared, athletes unsupported, and teams fractured.
To truly elevate sport, we need to shift the narrative and invest in holistic leadership development.
As a leadership coach working with teams, athletes, and organizations across sport, I’ve witnessed how investing in holistic leadership development can transform not just individuals but the entire culture of sport.
Why Leadership Has Been Overlooked in Sport
For decades, the assumption in sport has been that technical expertise automatically translates to leadership ability. This mindset has created a culture where:
- Technical Skills Are Prioritized: Leadership has been undervalued because the focus has been solely on physical performance, strategy, and results. Conversations around emotional intelligence, communication, and athlete well-being are sidelined, seen as secondary to the “real” work of winning.
- Leaders Are Thrust Into Roles Unprepared: Many coaches and administrators are promoted without formal training in human behaviour, communication, or team dynamics. These leaders often languish in their roles, overwhelmed by the complexities of managing people, resolving conflicts, and fostering a positive culture.
- Short-Term Results Trump Long-Term Growth: In the race for medals and accolades, the pressure to deliver results often overshadows the need for sustainable leadership practices that prioritize holistic development of athletes and teams.
The Consequences of Neglecting Leadership Development
This outdated approach has led to significant challenges:
- Unprepared Leaders: When leaders possess only with technical expertise, they struggle to inspire trust, handle conflicts, or support their teams effectively. This not only impacts performance but also the culture of sport.
- Compromised Athlete Welfare : Without emotionally intelligent leadership, athletes often feel unsupported, misunderstood, or unsafe. In some cases, this has led to abusive environments where athletes’ physical and mental well-being are sacrificed for the sake of performance.
- Organizational Dysfunction: Teams and organizations suffer under poor leadership, with toxic cultures, communication breakdowns hindering progress and lowering trust.
Poor Leadership and the Safe Sport Crisis
The connection between inadequate leadership and the ongoing safe sport crisis is undeniable. In Canada and worldwide, poor leadership has repeatedly been tied to toxic sporting cultures, where harmful behaviours such as bullying, intimidation, and neglect of athlete well-being have been tolerated. A lack of accountability and oversight has created environments where winning is prioritized over trust, safety, and inclusion. Addressing this crisis requires more than policy changes – it demands a culture shift towards people-centered leadership.
Turning the tide requires leaders willing to challenge the status quo, invest in their own growth, and champion a new vision for sport. This takes courage—courage to prioritize people over medals, to engage in difficult conversations, and to make decisions rooted in integrity and compassion.
The Ripple Effect of Great Leadership
When sport invests in leadership development, the impact is profound:
- Athletes Thrive: Athletes in supportive environments perform better and maintain deeper commitment to their goals, feeling valued as whole individuals.
- Teams Become Cohesive: Effective leaders foster trust, collaboration, and resilience within their teams, making them more likely to overcome challenges and achieve sustainable success.
- Organizations Evolve: Leaders who embody integrity and empathy inspire others, creating a ripple effect that elevates the entire sport ecosystem.
- Safe Sport is Realized: Leaders trained to prioritize well-being naturally create safer, healthier environments.
Building Great Leaders
Leadership is not innate; it’s a skill that can—and must—be developed. Programs focusing on emotional intelligence, communication styles, and understanding personal motivations are key to preparing leaders for sport’s complexities. Tools like the Nova Profile provide valuable insights into leadership styles, helping leaders navigate challenges with greater clarity and confidence.
Investing in leadership development means recognizing that fostering trust, resilience, and well-being is just as important as winning medals. Great leaders understand that their role extends beyond competition – they shape cultures, inspire growth, and leave lasting legacies.
Leaders who commit to this growth not only improve their teams but transform the broader culture of sport, creating environments where trust and respect flourish, and where athletes excel on and off the field.
Why It Matters
Great leaders don’t just create great athletes; they create environments where everyone thrives. They remind us that sport is fundamentally about connection, perseverance, and shared purpose.
When we create great leaders, we create great sport. And when we create great sport, we build a foundation for a future where athletes, coaches, teams, and organizations excel—not just in competition, but in life.
The question isn’t whether we should invest in leadership—it’s how soon we can start. Because the legacy of great sport isn’t measured in medals; it’s measured in the lives we change through inspired leadership.
If you’re interested in exploring leadership coaching—whether for yourself or your team—let’s start the conversation. Reach out to me at lbrett@sportlaw.ca.