Transformational leadership in elite sport: A qualitative analysis of effective leadership behaviors in cricket

Citation

Smith MJ, Young D, Figgins S & Arthur CA (2017) Transformational leadership in elite sport: A qualitative analysis of effective leadership behaviors in cricket. Sport Psychologist, 31 (1), pp. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2015-0077

Abstract
We examined transformational leadership behaviors are exhibited in an elite sport environment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 professional county cricket players to explore perceptions of transformational leadership behaviors of their captain and head-coach. Behaviors were firstly deductively categorised based on the Differentiated Transformational Leadership Inventory, with the most frequently cited being high performance expectations and individual consideration from the coach, and appropriate role-modelling of the captain. Further inductive analyses revealed a range of other factors which may influence players’ perceptions of transformational leadership. From these findings, suggestions are offered for those working in an applied context with sporting leaders.

Journal
Sport Psychologist: Volume 31, Issue 1