Journal of Leadership in Sport and Management

Leadership Competencies in the Management of High-Risk Teams - an Analysis of Experience in a High-Altitude Environment

2025-06-02T15:23:38+00:00

This article presents an analysis of the leadership competencies that shape the effectiveness of team management in extreme conditions, using the example of a high mountain environment. The study is based on a qualitative content analysis of an interview with an experienced expedition agency leader and a critical review of the literature on adaptive leadership and team management in crisis situations. The results indicate that effective leadership in a high-risk context requires the integration of emotional competencies - such as composure, empathy and mental resilience - with a high level of organizational skills. Particular attention was paid to interpersonal challenges and the need to make decisions in a volatile environment, time pressure and lack of complete information. The article's findings have application potential in areas related to operational management in rescue, emergency logistics, the military sector and disaster medicine.

Arnold Schwarzenegger as an Example of Adaptive Leadership

2025-06-13T10:21:26+00:00

This article explores the figure of Arnold Schwarzenegger as a unique and compelling example of adaptive leadership in the contemporary era. Drawing on biographical sources, political analysis, leadership theory, and cultural critique, the study demonstrates how Schwarzenegger’s life trajectory — from Austrian bodybuilder to Hollywood icon and Governor of California — exemplifies key principles of adaptive leadership, as defined by Heifetz, Grashow, and Linsky. Rather than presenting a linear career path, Schwarzenegger’s evolution is interpreted as a sequence of identity transformations shaped by shifting cultural, social, and political contexts. The article examines how his disciplined use of the body, mastery of public narrative, and strategic self-reinvention enabled him to influence diverse spheres — from sports and cinema to government and climate policy. Through narrative analysis and critical engagement with concepts such as symbolic capital, eco-masculinity, and hybrid leadership, the article positions Schwarzenegger as a model for contemporary leadership that transcends institutional categories. It argues that his story exemplifies not only the power of individual adaptation but also the potential for embodied leadership to act as a vehicle for structural and cultural change.

Understanding Barriers to Women’s Leadership in Sport and the Pathways to Change

2025-06-04T10:08:29+00:00

Although women’s participation in organized sport has grown substantially, their inclusion in leadership and governance roles has advanced more slowly. This article examines two prominent case studies—the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Biathlon Union (IBU)—to assess how institutional reforms can promote gender equity in sport leadership. As of 2024, the IOC has achieved 40.6% female membership, 30% representation on its Executive Board, and 50% female participation across its 33 commissions, with 42% of those chaired by women. These outcomes reflect the implementation of the IOC’s Gender Equality Review Project and Olympic Agenda 2020+5, which together set out structural goals and cultural strategies to embed gender inclusion. The IBU, meanwhile, has taken a similarly comprehensive approach. Through the adoption of gender quotas, mentorship programs, unconscious bias training, and funding initiatives, it reached 30% female representation on its Executive Board and Technical Committee by 2022. Beginning with the 2026 Election Congress, the IBU’s Constitution mandates gender thresholds across all key governance bodies, including Congress delegates, the Athletes’ Committee, the Technical Committee, and the Executive Board. These case studies illustrate that when gender equity policies are linked to enforceable structures, measurable outcomes are achievable, even in traditionally male-dominated sports.

Psychological Foundations of Management and Leadership in Tim Grover’s High-Performance Coaching

2025-06-13T10:26:03+00:00

This article presents a comprehensive academic analysis of the training and leadership philosophy developed by Tim S. Grover, the renowned personal coach of some of the most successful figures in professional basketball, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade. Grover’s approach is centered on three key pillars: extreme individualization of training, the cultivation of complete personal responsibility, and the systematic development of mental resilience. At the heart of his method lies the concept of the “Cleaner” — a term Grover uses to describe individuals who operate with absolute focus, do not seek validation from others, and are capable of performing consistently under the most intense pressure. Although Grover’s methods emerged within the context of elite sports, this paper argues that they are deeply aligned with established theories in sport psychology, motivational science, and leadership studies. The analysis integrates empirical research on mental toughness, self-determination, goal-setting theory, transformational leadership, and stress inoculation, while also drawing on case studies from Grover’s work with top athletes. Furthermore, the article examines how Grover’s framework can be applied to leadership development and high-performance environments beyond sports, such as business and education. The study concludes that Grover’s methods, while demanding and highly selective, possess strong theoretical coherence and broad applicability across domains where peak performance and accountability are essential.

Journal of Leadership in Sport and Management

2025-06-11T11:54:37+00:00