Thesis Format
Integrated Article
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Program
Kinesiology
Supervisor
Dr. Karen Danylchuk
Abstract
The long-standing debate about whether sport builds character has overshadowed the discussion about how character may influence sport, even though it is often discussed in stories of failure and success. In contrast, the character literature has long established how character can support flourishing, which encompasses performance, well-being, and strong relationships. This dissertation employs a leader character framework, identifying 11 interconnected dimensions of character that work together to support strong character (Crossan et al., 2017). Prioritizing some behaviours and neglecting others can cause strengths to turn into vices, compromising judgment and the benefits associated with character. For example, confidence unsupported by humility can become arrogance, leading to stunted learning and fragile relationships. This dissertation builds a model for leader character development in sport that brings attention to the 11 interconnected dimensions working together to support strong character and flourishing. The first study explored athlete perceptions of character in sport and examined whether athlete perceptions of leader character may be influenced by their coach. The findings revealed that athletes identified all 11 leader character dimensions to be beneficial to their sport performance, but significant differences were found between the highest and lowest ratings of the dimensions. Further, athlete ratings were related to their perceptions of how they thought their coaches valued the 11 leader character dimensions. The second and third studies examined how leader character can be developed along with the associated outcomes. A leader character development process model was created, which identified two antecedents of character development – Character Behavioural Intention and Engagement, and three previously theorized outcomes of leader character development – Flourishing, Core Beliefs, and PABCs (physiology, affect, behaviour, and cognition). A latent growth model was used in the second study to identify how the antecedents influenced leader character change, which revealed leader character was developed based on the antecedents. The third study also used a latent growth model to examine the outcomes of leader character development, which revealed that both Flourishing and Core Beliefs were strengthened because of leader character development. The findings from this dissertation pave the way for a renewed discussion about how character can influence sport and provide practical tools for athletes to develop their character-based leadership.
Summary for Lay Audience
The long-standing debate about whether sport builds character has overshadowed the discussion about how character may influence sport, even though it is often discussed in stories of failure and success. In contrast, the character literature has long established how character can support flourishing, which encompasses performance, well-being, and strong relationships. This dissertation uses a leader character framework, identifying 11 interconnected behaviours of character that work together to support strong character (Crossan et al., 2017). Prioritizing some behaviours and neglecting others can cause strengths to turn into harmful behaviours, compromising judgment and the benefits associated with character. For example, confidence unsupported by humility can become arrogance, leading to stunted learning and fragile relationships. This dissertation builds a model for leader character development in sport that brings attention to the 11 interconnected dimensions working together to support strong character and flourishing. The first study explored athlete perceptions of character in sport and examined whether athlete perceptions of character may be influenced by their coach. The findings revealed that athletes identified all 11 character behaviours to be beneficial to their sport performance, but significant differences were found between the highest and lowest ratings of behaviours. Further, athlete ratings were related to their perceptions of how they thought their coaches valued the 11-character behaviours. The second and third studies examined how character can be developed and the associated outcomes. A character development process model was created integrating several areas of study, including character, exercise science, and habit development. The model identifies two major factors that contribute to character development, which were Character Behavioural Intention and Program Engagement. It also included a set of outcomes previously identified in the literature: Flourishing, Core Beliefs, and the four anatomical systems that contribute and are influenced by character including physiology, affect, behaviour, and cognition (PABCs). The second study revealed that character can be developed based on the theorized process model. The third study revealed that both Flourishing and Core Beliefs were strengthened because of character development, which has exciting opportunities to support the sustainable development and performance of athletes, alongside their well-being and relationships that are often neglected in elite sport.
Recommended Citation
Crossan, Corey, "Building a Model for Leader Character Development in Sport" (2022). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 9117.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/9117