Examining Administrative Philosophies & Types of Administrators PE 416 Dr. Kostelis

Why Study Administration

Philosophy & Administration Investigation of causes and laws underlying reality; inquiry into the nature of things based on logical reasoning rather than empirical investigation; or the system of values by which one lives Philosophy dictates course of action

Ethics – principled right & wrong behavior Beliefs – I believe... Values – I value... Principles – I will not... Or I will always try to.... Actions – I will follow this rule of... Written Rules Unwritten Rules

Ethics Need to develop ethical principles that monitors own actions

Administrative Philosophies Idealism Realism Pragmatism Existentialism

What is your Administrative Philosophy? How do you envision a PE Program being run? What are some of your own goals and objectives? What activities do you feel are important to help achieve your goals of the program?

Basis for Philosophy IDEALISM Reality depends on mind & spirit Develop body through spirit and mind Truth from ideas Focused on developing character, thus evaluation is subjective Value static & unchanging; foundation for life Resist change, follow traditional paths

Basis for Philosophy IDEALISM Sports supported are those that emphasize mental discipline

Basis for Philosophy REALISM Reality is based on science Develop body in measurable ways Truth gained through physical world & experience Value is something objective Organized systematic health & fitness-testing; use computers and comparative standards (objective skill tests and performance)

Basis for Philosophy REALISM Sports supported are those that can use statistics showing measurement and gains in strength and other measurable factors

Basis for Philosophy PRAGMATISM (experimentation or instrumentalism) Reality is experienced, ever-changing Truth is discovered by experience, go with what works, just adjust & be practical! Value is predicted on judgment, based on experience and good of the society

Basis for Philosophy PRAGMATISM Sports supported are the ones that are most popular with spectators and allow play, such as dance and rhythm activities What works best!

Basis for Philosophy EXISTENTIALISM Reality lies within individuals & experience of being, freedom of choice & responsibility for morals Decisions are based on previous experience, sometimes inconsistent and nonconforming Truth through personal experiences Freewill, but weighs moral issues Values determined through self-examination, choices toward self-realization and self- determination

Basis for Philosophy EXISTENTIALISM Sports supported are the individual sport vs. team sport and those making no comparisons to norms or standards Also movement education, rhythms, modern dance, and cooperative group activities to allow self- expression and allows discovery

Basis for Philosophy ECLECTISM Adopt several philosophies Need workable philosophy Need philosophy that consistently points in the direction for important administrative decisions (if not then will end in court!)

What is your Administrative Philosophy? How do you envision a PE Program being run? What are some of your own goals and objectives? What activities do you feel are important to help achieve your goals of the program?

Types of Administrators LAISSEZ-FAIRE AUTOCRATIC DEMOCRATIC

Types of Administrators LAISSEZ-FAIRE – Hands off Low Profile, organization to operate on own Usually results from negative, poorly prepared, insecure, lazy administration

Types of Administrators LAISSEZ-FAIRE Positive Aspects Young, energetic, can try innovative ideas Older can initiate new or terminate programs Higher ranking has little pressure or conflict Negative Aspects Lacks leadership Poor, ineffective, weak workers continue to function dont rock the boat Young and inexperienced lost in shuffle No drive for excellence or long-range plans

Types of Administrators AUTOCRATIC OR AUTHORITARIAN Administrator functions as boss not leader, thus is equivalent to benevolent despot High degree of uniformity, controlled variables, narrow objectives

Types of Administrators AUTOCRATIC OR AUTHORITARIAN Positive Aspects Efficient, especially when understaffed Few meetings, little debates Changes without delay Inexperienced usually function well Negative Aspects Lose synergy and power of group thinking Staff of yes Decisions without all information Policies and programs as good as leader When mistakes, they are usually large Young do not usually benefit in growth

Types of Administrators DEMOCRATIC Creative ideas that a group of individuals can generate in a lively meeting will be far greater than the same group might identify if they were all working independently Group Dynamics – participatory governance

Types of Administrators DEMOCRATIC Positive Aspects Determine own destiny Young gain experience on committees All work together Group decisions Negative Aspects Inefficiency, committee on committees Many compromises needed, thus maybe unworkable

Types of Administrators ECLECTIC Often times democratic as cornerstone and mix other approaches as special situations arise

What type of administrator will you be?