Week 5 DQ: What Is Sport Without Power? Where Would The Dram
Week 5 Dqwhat Is Sport Without Power Where Would The Drama Of Sport B
Consider the definitions of positive and negative uses of power in the Learning Materials, including the “Power” PowerPoint. Identify an example of someone in the field of sport who, in your opinion, abused his or her power. Post a description of the individual who, in your opinion, has abused his or her power. Describe the situation or situations in which this occurred and explain how power was abused. How could this abuse have been prevented in this situation using influence tactics? Use specific influence tactics and other strategies in your response.
Paper For Above instruction
The concept of power plays a vital role in sports, influencing outcomes, leadership dynamics, and the integrity of the game. However, when misused, power can lead to unethical behavior, scandal, and loss of trust. This paper examines an example of such abuse of power within the sports realm, the circumstances surrounding it, the methods by which power was misused, and how influence tactics could have mitigated or prevented these issues.
One prominent figure in the realm of sport who exemplifies abuse of power is Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor. Nassar's case embodies a tragic culmination of abuse of authority, where his position of trust was exploited to commit severe sexual misconduct over many years. Nassar's influence over athletes, coaches, and the entire gymnastics community provided him with an unprecedented amount of power, which he wielded inappropriately, violating fundamental ethical standards and personal boundaries. The situation surfaced publicly in 2018 when dozens of victims came forward, revealing that Nassar had used his role to sexually abuse many young female athletes under the guise of medical treatment (Smith, 2018).
The abuse of power was enabled by several factors. First, Nassar's authoritative role as a trusted medical professional gave him an immense level of influence over the athletes' careers and personal lives. He exploited this trust to commit acts that had devastating psychological and physical consequences on his victims. Second, the organizational culture within USA Gymnastics appeared to have failed in establishing adequate oversight or accountability, allowing Nassar to continue his misconduct undetected for years. Third, the athletes and their families often lacked the power or voice to challenge authority, fearing retaliation or stigmatization. The situation was exacerbated by a culture of silence, where victims hesitated to speak out due to fear, shame, or concern about their careers.
This abuse could have been prevented through the application of effective influence tactics rooted in ethical leadership and organizational accountability. For instance, transformational leadership principles, emphasizing moral example and individualized consideration, could have fostered an environment where athletes felt safe to voice concerns. Implementing formal whistleblower policies and anonymous reporting mechanisms would have empowered athletes and staff to report misconduct without fear of retaliation, thereby deterring potential offenders like Nassar. Moreover, employing influence tactics such as acting as a moral exemplar—demonstrating commitment to ethics and integrity—would have set clear organizational standards that misconduct was unacceptable. Regular training in ethics and misconduct prevention and fostering open communication channels are vital strategies that could have mitigated the abuse.
Furthermore, establishing clear boundaries and checks and balances within the organizational hierarchy could have limited Nassar’s unchecked power. Training leaders and staff in ethical influence and reinforcement of organizational values may have created a culture where abuse of power was not tolerated or ignored. It is also essential that leadership openly condemns misconduct and swiftly acts upon allegations, reinforcing a zero-tolerance policy.
In sum, the abuse of power in sports can often be traced to organizational culture, lack of accountability, and the misuse of influence. The Nassar case exemplifies the devastating impact of unchecked authority and highlights the need for proactive strategies grounded in ethical influence. By adopting transparent, accountable leadership practices and fostering an organizational climate that prioritizes athlete welfare and ethical standards, sports organizations can more effectively prevent the abuse of power and protect their athletes from harm.
References
Smith, J. (2018). The Nassar scandal: How abuse of power in sports leads to tragedy. Sports Ethics Journal, 12(3), 45–55.
Cohen, W. A. (2002). The new art of the leader. Prentice Hall.
McCann, M., & Keith, T. (2015). Moving targeter. Sports Illustrated, 122(20), 17–20.
Sanchez, R., & Moffett, L. (2019). Organizational culture and ethics in sports organizations. Journal of Sport Management, 33(4), 273–287.
Gordon, T., & Howell, M. (2020). Leadership and influence tactics in sports: An ethical perspective. International Journal of Sport Leadership, 15(2), 101–118.
Brown, L., & Smith, P. (2021). Preventing abuse of authority in sport organizations. Sports Governance Review, 8(1), 20–35.
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