Peer Leadership in Sport: Relationships among Personal Characteristics, Leader Behaviors, and Team Outcomes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine peer leadership in sport using transformational leadership theory as a framework. We extended research (Glenn & Horn, 1993; Moran & Weiss, 2006) by examining relationships among personal characteristics, peer leadership behaviors, and team outcomes. Adolescent female soccer players (N = 191) completed measures assessing personal, leadership, and team constructs. Canonical correlation analyses revealed that (a) peer leaders were characterized by higher perceived soccer competence, peer acceptance, behavioral conduct, and intrinsic motivation; and (b) effective peer leadership was associated with players who reported greater task and social cohesion and collective efficacy.

Notes

1. Social cohesion items deleted: I do not enjoy being a part of the social activities of this team. I am not going to miss the members of this team when the season ends. Members of our team would rather go out on their own than get together as a team.Task cohesion items deleted: I am not happy with the amount of playing time I get. We all take equal responsibility for any loss of performance by our team.Perceived behavioral conduct items deleted: Some players usually do the right thing but other players don't do what they know is right. Some players feel really good about the way they act but other players don't feel that good about the way they often act.