Recent scandals, including multiple allegations and criminal cases of serious abuse, have rocked sport around the world. Arguably the most egregious example is the case of USA gymnastics, which should serve as a cautionary tale for everybody involved in sport at all levels. Against this backdrop, there has been something of an avalanche of allegations of bullying and improper conduct that are presently playing out in the public sphere. In turn, this has prompted calls for national sporting bodies to be less obsessively driven by winning medals. The perils of the ‘winning at all costs’ mentality have been cited as the reason behind the toxic environments and climate of fear that has been alleged in multiple sports, notably in the investigations that are presently ongoing within the UK. But of course winning on the world stage does come at a cost, both financial and personal. So where should we draw the line?
The Evolving Role of Coaches and Coaching Beyond Sport
The Last Dance is a very recent example that illustrates how a glimpse into elite sport at ground level has the power to enthrall so many. In particular, the world of sport and coaching holds a fascination for leaders in business and commerce. Sport serves as a metaphor for much in the business world and the language used in meeting rooms across all sectors tends to be rife with sporting references. The growing use of the terms ‘coach’ and ‘coaching’ within organisations and different professional realms seems to be the latest example of this phenomenon. Or might there be more to this development?