Servant Leadership and Its Impact on Ethical Climate

Abstract

Many leaders in intercollegiate athletics are under attack due to an overemphasis on winning and revenue generation. In response, some have recommended a transition to a servant leadership approach because of its focus on the well-being of followers and ethical behaviors (Burton & Welty Peachey, 2013; Welty Peachey, Zhou, Damon, & Burton, 2015). The purpose of this study was to examine athletic directors’ potential demonstration of servant leadership and possible contribution to an ethical climate in NCAA Division III institutions. Participants were 326 athletic staff members from NCAA Division III institutions. Results indicated athletic staff members believed athletic directors displayed characteristics of servant leadership. Athletic department employees perceived athletic directors exhibited servant leadership characteristics of accountability, standing back, stewardship, authenticity, humility, and empowerment most often. Staff members who perceived athletic directors displayed servant leadership characteristics were more likely to report working in an ethical climate. If athletic directors choose to model the characteristics of servantleaders, they could promote more fully the NCAA Division III philosophy of prioritizing the well-being of others, being a positive role model for employees, and fostering ethical work climates within their athletic departments. Examining Athletic Directors’ Demonstration of Servant Leadership and its Contribution to Ethical Climate in NCAA Division III Institutions Athletic directors who lead intercollegiate athletic programs directly influence the lives of hundreds of employees and thousands of student-athletes. Possibly nowhere has this been more impactful than in the 450 institutions holding membership in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). NCAA Division III is unique with studentathletes comprising an average of 19% of undergraduate student bodies and reaching as high as 50% (Sagas & Wigley, 2014). In alignment with NCAA Division III philosophy, athletic directors should prioritize student-athletes’ academic programs and view athletic participation as integral to students’ overall college experiences (National Collegiate Athletic Association, 2016). Servant leadership, a leadership philosophy focusing on putting the needs of followers first with an emphasis on integrity, stewardship, and strong moral values, aligns well with the NCAA Division III philosophy. This philosophy states, “Colleges and universities in Division III place the highest priority on the overall academic quality of the