Title
Positive Psychology and Athletic Leaders’ Concern for Well-Being: A Self-Determined Perspective
Document Type
Thesis or dissertation
Date of this Version
2016
Abstract
Leadership is a dichotomous construct that requires a concern for production and a concern for people (Blake & Mouton, 1964). While production does not appear to be a worry for most intercollegiate athletic directors, there are a myriad of issues related to intercollegiate athletics that could be improved with a better understanding by athletic leaders regarding the principles and practices of a concern for the well-being of followers. This paper will advance the idea that positive psychology and the related field of positive organizational scholarship offer fertile areas of new research with much of it supported by an important theoretical foundation of self-determination theory, with decades of empirical evidence (Ryan & Deci, 2002). Athletic leaders, with an understanding of these principles and practices, will be optimally equipped to support and empower athletic administrators, coaches, and athletes and create athletic departments that cultivates human flourishing, and enables individuals and organizations to reach their highest aspirations (DeRue & Workman, 2012).
Keywords
intercollegiate athletics, leadership, motivation, self-determination theory, positive psychology, positive organizational scholarship, ncaa, autonomy supportive
Topic
Business/Work, Well-being/Flourishing
Format
Literature Review
Date Posted: 07 October 2016