NCAA ATHLETIC DIRECTORS' SELF-PERSPECTIVE OF TRANSFORMATIONAL/TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine NCAA athletic directors' (ADs') perceptions of their own leadership styles as they relate to the five dimensions of transformational leadership and the three dimensions of transactional leadership. The research instrument was the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) with added demographic questions. In addition to the determination of the self-perceived athletic director leadership style, the intention of this study was to determine the possible relationship of demographic and institutional variables including athletic director NCAA Division, age, and gender. Participants were the athletic directors from NCAA Division I, II, and III member higher education institutions. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-tests, and one-way ANOVAs to examine the research question. The results found significant differences among the institutional variable of NCAA Divisions. A one-way ANOVA demonstrated that transformational leadership traits of intellectual stimulation and inspirational motivation set Division I ADs apart from ADs within Divisions II and III. The findings of the study may have significance for intercollegiate ADs in offering an increase in the understanding of their own leadership style. Thus, the AD can move between both transformational and transactional leadership traits depending on a specific task. The findings of the study may also provide a benefit for college and university presidents by hiring and increasing retention of ADs through matching leadership style with the needs and mission of the intercollegiate athletic department.