Dr. Donna Lopiano, Ph.D., President, Sports Management Resources

Think of the CEO, head of a department or leader of any group of employees as the head coach of a team – a master teacher and leader who has the ability to organize and inspire a group of people to achieve common goals. The groups led will vary in size with regard to numbers of employees, size of budget and experience of employees. The goals of the team will vary according to the products, competitive level of the organization, and its definition of success. However, every effective “coach” is a highly organized person who is committed to bringing the best out of his or her players and pursuing the highest level of program excellence.

Leadership is a complex composite of commendable personal attributes and ways of acting that result in employees and customers believing in the leader’s judgment and direction and wanting to execute or fulfill the leader’s assignments and expectations. Is there such a thing as a person being “a natural” leader, like a natural athlete or a gifted artist or musician whose talent appears to come easily? To an extent, the answer is yes. Leadership qualities come more easily to some rather than others. However, all of the following personal attributes of a good leader can be developed by intent.

Personal Attributes of Leaders

Skilled Communicator. Able to clearly explain tasks and inspire others with varying backgrounds and perspectives.

Confidence. Poise, clear thinking under pressure, conviction in the course being set, and decisiveness are characteristics that earn the respect and loyalty of others.

Fairness. Treats people fairly, makes decisions consistent with clearly expressed standards of right and wrong. When handling disputes, the leader’s resolution engenders a feeling of justice, equal treatment and evenhandedness.

Generosity. A ‘giver’ rather than ‘taker’; a giver of time, knowledge and caring.

Honesty. Truthful and openly self-critical with regard to acknowledging own errors.

Humility. Modest about his or her abilities and always respectful of others.

Mastery. Makes decisions and demonstrates a high personal commitment to acquisition of knowledge, skill mastery and thoughtful action.

Passion. Performs work and play and approaches every task with passion and enthusiasm.
Optimism. Believes that everyone has something important to contribute to the success of the organization; creates an environment that is positive, hopeful and buoyant – a place of working, playing and human interaction that employees and student-athletes enjoy and value.

Selflessness. Puts the needs, interests and wishes of others before his or her own self interest. When the leader asks someone to do something, that person knows that what is being asked is for the larger good or good of another.

Trustworthy. Builds trust and confidence by acting in team member’s best interest and not revealing confidential information.

Donna A. Lapiano, Ph.D.

Dr. Donna Lopiano is currently the President of Sports Management Resources, a consulting firm.  She is the former Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Sports Foundation (1992-2007) and was named one of “The 10 Most Powerful Women in Sports” by Fox Sports. The Sporting News has repeatedly listed her as one of “The 100 Most Influential People in Sports.”  She has been nationally and internationally recognized for her leadership advocating for gender equity in sports by the International Olympic Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sports, the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

Recognized as one of the foremost national experts on gender equity in sport, Dr. Lopiano has testified about Title IX and gender equity before three Congressional committees, served as a consultant to the U.S. Office for Civil Rights Department of Health, Education and Welfare Title IX Task Force and as an expert witness in twenty-eight court cases. Dr. Lopiano has also served as a consultant to school districts, institutions of higher education and state education agencies on Title IX compliance and to non-profit organizations on governance and strategic planning.

As an athlete, Dr. Lopiano participated in 26 national championships in four sports and was a nine-time All-American at four different positions in softball, a sport in which she played on six national championship teams. She is a member of the National Sports Hall of Fame, the National Softball Hall of Fame and the Connecticut and Texas Women’s Halls of Fame, among others.