Values-in-Action: What Sport Leaders Are Saying

Published January 15, 2019

We are pleased to provide  Values-in-Action: Igniting Passion and Purpose in Sport Organizations in an e-book format so that more sport leaders can benefit from the valuable and practical insights and tools provided by long-time sport consultant Dina Bell-Laroche. Here is what some readers have to say about the book:

Karri Dawson, Executive Director of the True Sport Foundation shares:

“It is so great to see the launch of the Sport Management Series 2.0 and having the SLSG make their knowledge accessible to more sport leaders. Over the past seven years many sport leaders have benefited from the first edition of the Values-in-Action book, shifting our way of leading in sport. Congratulations to Dina and the entire SLSG team for helping to ensure a values-driven approach to managing Canadian sport.”  

Casey Wade, CEO of Canoe Kayak Canada shares:

“Values-in-Action serves as an excellent tool to guide both decision making and culture building for leaders in sport. While Canoe Kayak Canada strives to manage the organization through established objectives, values help guide thoughtful decisions, particularly with the increase in complex challenges that we’re often faced with today. Managing by Values both in our planning and through regular communication in our day-to-day work also helps build a strong team culture among staff, committee leaders, athletes and volunteers, which is so critical for an organization to succeed. A close team needs to build trust, respect, loyalty and empathy as we work together to learn, adapt, and move forward toward achieving our goals and objectives. Managing and living through a values-based lens is, in my view, a critical ingredient to make that happen. Values-in-Action reflects on the importance of this and I certainly recommend it for leaders in sport at all levels.”  

Purpose and conviction are necessary elements that are sometimes lacking in today’s sport organization. Values can strengthen an organization’s moral compass and help guide, manage, and crystallize any major change initiatives. Activating your values gives your organization purpose and gives the organization’s employees and stakeholders a shared goal to work towards. The book is especially relevant to sport leaders facing complex issue related to safe sport, conflict, complaint management and a shifting workforce. These people issues are often mitigated when shared values are discussed and agreed to.  Dina has drawn from her research into the performance of 9 National Sport Organizations as well as her extensive experience in risk management and organizational change.

We feel that the e-book's information (based directly on the recent academic literature I reviewed for my Master’s thesis in 2011) combined with the practical examples are two of the most compelling reasons for sport leaders to read the e-book. Combining theory with practice is high-reward approach for sport leaders looking to engage with recent developments in the field and apply those developments to their organizations.

Karen O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Paralympic Committee writes:

“This e-book is a perfect blend of current up to date information and pragmatic examples of how this work can be translated behaviourally on a day-to-day basis.  I have read the book a few times, and I keep it close by as a reminder on a daily basis of the things that make the most difference and impact – leading from a values based perspective. This book has become a talisman for me.”

Jeff Partrick, Director Coaching and Skating Programs, Skate Canada writes:

“This e-book is a great tool that will redefine how you approach your business. The process of managing by values creates a renewed sense of purpose and conviction and is the litmus test that helps guide one’s decision making.”

Caroline Assalian, Sport Consultant and Business Coach, Kaskor Inc. writes:

"As a longtime sport leader I recognize the need for resources that will help sport administrators navigate the complexities and management challenges that they face on a daily basis. This e-book is a great tool that is filled with practical examples and tips from other sport leaders while providing leading edge advice on how to integrate one's corporate values more intentionally. It's definitely worth the read!"

One of the goals of writing this e-book was to provide sport leaders with a resource that they could return to, review, and re-read to underscore the importance of the role of values in an organization. Eleven appendices are included – helpful tools that describe sample terms of reference for a values committee, a sample interview process for a values uncovering initiative, and a critical path to build support for a values project. We have also provided sample values statements, a sample evaluation framework, and a sample personal values self-identification exercise. It’s all here!

Greg Mathieu, Former CEO of many National Sport Organizations and Sport Consultant writes:

“As sport leaders we have volumes of information being sent our way to digest.  Seldom is this information concise, detailed and directly applicable to our needs.  'Values-In-Action'  is an exception that any sport leader – staff or volunteer – would benefit greatly from reading”

We understand how busy sport leaders are - so we intentionally wrote the e-book to be easy to access, clear and concise, and able to be read in a single sitting.  In fact we recommend that you read the book in a single sitting – digest it, think about it, mull it over – and then read it again with an eye to applying its concepts and themes to your organization. We expect that your second reading will be filled with ‘aha’ moments!

Ron Smale, Past President of The Ontario Soccer Association writes:

“I had a hard copy of the book given to me as a gift from a very good friend.  It is excellent.  An excellent read!"

We are eager to hear how our e-book is being received and how values are being intentionally used within your organization. If you have not yet read the handbook we hope you will purchase a copy and see for yourself what everyone is talking about!