Context of Recreation Leadership

Leadership defined A dynamic process of interactions between two or more members of a group which involves recognition and acceptance of leader-follower roles by group members within a certain situation.

Leadership defined A dynamic process Always changes Internal & external influences of interactions between two or more members of a group Verbal & nonverbal communication Sharing of tasks Establishment of relationships

Leadership defined which involves recognition and acceptance of leader-follower roles by group members within a certain situation. Leaders & roles change

What will you learn??? Situations change…need to adapt Various leadership skills How to establish yourself as a leader When to be a leader & when to be a follower Begin to establish your leadership style

Good leader… Honesty & integrity Initiative Persistence High expectations Maturity Positive attitude Communication skills High energy Courage Responsibility

Followers Can’t have a leader without a follower Interaction, motivation If followers like leader, they perform better Have to be a good follower before a good leader…..Why?

Technical Skills Specific to accomplishing tasks Skills needed to get things done Examples?????…….

Technical Skills Examples: Behavior management Breaking people into groups Planning Staffing Giving directions Selecting appropriate activities

Human Relations Skills Involves relationships with others Being a good communicator Understanding group dynamics Who is in the group Group management Group cohesion Cliques

Human Relations Skills Building trust among members Most important aspect Must be built Experience or position may lead to trust Resolve conflicts

Conceptual Skills Ability to analyze, anticipate, & see the big picture Critical thinking skills Problem solving Sees the org. as a whole

Administrative Leader Manager or executive CEO, President, E.D….the big dog! Responsible for the entire organization Focus on fiscal and administrative responsibilities

Supervisory Leader Middle management Report to administrative leaders Usually supervise staff Oversee particular program area Sales Manager Director of Golf Operations Cultural Arts Coordinator

Direct Service Leader Provide services directly to customers Interact one on one with people Examples: Tour guides Camp counselors Lifeguards

Types of Recreation Leaders Levels of Recreation Organizations Number of people involved at this level in an organization Top Middle Front line Administrative Supervisory Direct Service Source: Ruth Russell, Leadership in Recreation (2000)

Types & Functions Types Administrative Leaders Supervisory Leaders Direct service Leaders Technical Human Relations Conceptual Functions/Skills

How Leaders Are Identified Appointment Must earn the respect of followers Dr. Bowman Election Politics Professional Associations Teams captains

How Leaders Are Identified Emergence 2 activity assignments Charisma Generate enthusiasm & loyalty Clinton, Obama, MLK, JFK The Halo Effect Attributes in 1 situation carry over to others Teachers

Power! Influence an individual has over another Power does not equal leadership Leaders use forms of power to get the job done How do we get power??

Power! Legitimate Power Comes from position within the organization CEO, Administrator, teacher

Power! Reward Power Ability to provide rewards to people The greater the control over rewards, the greater the power Parent vs. child Politics….Bush & Ridenour

Power! Coercive Power Person relies on the ability to punish others Greater the freedom to punish, the greater the coercive power Power to: Terminate Evaluate Reprimand

Power! Expert Power Based on valued expertise You know something others don’t Information Power Access & control of information Controlling leader

Power! Referent Power The more we like someone, the more likely we will follow them Admiration leads to following Charisma

Why Theory? Describe, explain, predict Why do we behave this way Explains progression of leadership Old school vs. modern leadership Gives a full understanding of leadership

Theories Overview Early Theories: Great Man Trait Theories Attribution Theory Behavioral Theories Task vs. Relationship orientation Leadership styles Later Theories Situational leadership Contingency leadership

Early Theories Great Man Predestined for leadership Birthing order, family, education, upbringing Born with leadership ingrained Women rarely considered leaders Examples???

Early Theories Trait Theories Have certain traits for leadership Have superior qualities that make them a leader Culturally determined traits

Early Theories Attribution Theory Leadership attributed to actions & appearance regardless of behavior Good group…good leader Bad group…bad leader

Behavioral Approaches Describes leadership based on behaviors exhibited Effective leaders show certain behaviors at appropriate times You act like a leader to be perceived as one Ie. Problem solving, managing participant behavior, directing, communicating, serving as a role model

Behavioral Approaches Management Grid Task Orientation Concerned with productivity Satisfaction derived from completion of task People Orientation Concerned with establishing good relationships Emotional aspect of leadership Technical skills Human Relations skills

Behavioral Approaches Autocratic Authoritarian Directs, or orders participants to do various tasks without explanation Does not allow for group input Expect people to follow orders Micro-manager When is this style good? Leadership Styles

Behavioral Approaches Autocratic When is this style good? Need quick response Dangerous activities – safety is an issue Group has no skills Leadership Styles

Behavioral Approaches Democratic Shared decision making Reasons for decision shared with the group Get group input Members feel a sense of responsibility Trust develops between leaders & followers When isn’t this style good? Leadership Styles

Behavioral Approaches Democratic When isn’t this style good? Unskilled group Immature group Little knowledge of the situation by the group If quick decisions need to be made Leadership Styles

Behavioral Approaches Laissez-Faire French - Leave it alone, let it be Leader tends to shy away from the group and decision-making responsibilities Group gets no direction Con’t Sometimes leader lacks confidence Someone in group usually takes over as leader Can be good and bad… Leadership Styles

Behavioral Approaches Laissez-Faire Good aspects Used purposefully – see where group goes Group dynamics can get stronger Less reliance on leader Leadership Styles

Behavioral Approaches Laissez-Faire Bad aspects Not well received by some Group feels deserted End product is not appropriate Leadership Styles

Later Theories Situational Leadership Takes into account the leader, followers, & the situation The situation dictates who will emerge as the leader If leader skills & challenge match, they will emerge as the leader New York, Italy, Thailand

Later Theories Contingency Leadership The style of leadership is contingent upon the situation Based on 1. Relationship with the group 2. Task structure 3. Power of the leader

Later Theories Others Comprehensive view – p. 34 Servant Leadership – p. 38