Coaching: The Art and Science

Hard work will overcome talent, especially if talent hardly works!

Ethical Decision-Making

Problem-Solving– Apply a formal decision making process– Solve a complex situation

Valuing– Differentiate between ethical and legal issues– Understand rationale for Code of Ethics and basis

of values– Appreciate hierarchy of values in moral dilemma

Ethical Decision-Making

Critical Thinking– Evaluate options for decisions and actions– Appreciate the influence of the Ethical Codes in

decision making Leadership

– Make decisions that influence others– Assume responsibility for decisions and

consequences Interaction

– Exchange of ideas and opinions– Explain rationale for decision

Making Ethical Decisions

Wide range of situations– Touch on sensitive issues

Ethical issues when values compromised Decisions sensitive and difficult

– Understanding of facts– Awareness of values– Appropriate points of reference– Application of rigorous decision-making framework

What would you do?– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZmxirK9hWY

Is it a Legal Situation?

Page 24 – 10.2.4 Page 3-5 Reference Material

Criminal or quasi-criminal actions Breach of Contract Grounds child in need of protection Discriminatory actions Harassment Negligence

Actions in Legal Situations

Reporting to policeReporting to child

protection authoritiesReporting to employer or

organization

Dealing with an Ethical Situation

Workbook page 4 Read OverThe Shakespearean Dilemma

– To Play Or Not To Play What are the facts of the situation?

– Use worksheet 1 at end of chapter – page 19

Ethical Situation – The Facts

Athlete is 13 years old Symptoms of injury Everyone agrees injury

symptoms present Parents demand child

take part – OK with GP No note from GP Research indicates long

term consequences No medical examination

Good athlete – provincial team

Parents powerful in club Coach has final

authority (policy) Documentation required

to return from injury Athlete feels pain but

prepared to play Provincial team coach

present

Ethical Issues (pg 6 Reference manual)

Health of the Athlete – long and short term– Reasonable doubt athlete injured

Respect policies and procedures of organization– Return policy in place

Responsibility of Coach, Obligations– Has authority to make decision

Appropriate use of power– Coach by organization, parents over child

Individual Goals Appropriate use of information

Ethical Decision Making Process

1. Establish the facts of the situation.

2. Determine what are the issues – legal implications?

3. Identify Potential Decisions/Actions.

4. Identify Pros and Cons of Decisions/Actions.

5. Select the Best Option.

6. Implement Decision – Manage Consequences.

1 - Establish the facts in the situation

2- From the facts,

determine what is at stake

5- Select the best option for decision

3- Consider potential options for action or

decision, and the consequences of each

4- Assess the pros and cons of each

option

6- Implement the decision and manage the consequences

Have all

the facts been

identified?

- Have I thought about factors that might influence me?

- What values must be preserved in the situation?

- Is this a just and reasonable decision?

- Is this a situation that has legal implications? - If the situation is not legal, what ethical issues might be involved?

How does each option promote a fair decision in relation to the:

- - outcomes or results

- - means used to achieve

-

results

Analysis And Decision-Making Process For Situations That Have Moral Implications

What is the best course of action to follow? Who should be involved?

Decision -Making

Implementation

Analysis

Options for Decision or Actions

“What could I do in this situation?” Identify the extremes of a continuum of

options– Begin with “Make no decision/Take no action”

Coach makes no intervention– Parents proceed with registration of child for

competition Coach allows the athlete to compete Coach does not allow the athlete to compete

What Might Happen?

Coach makes no intervention –lets parents proceed with registration of child– Athlete competes and has chance to be selected– Risk of more damage to the body– Parents, not coach making decision– Coach abdicates responsibility of making decision– Conflict with parents likely avoided

What Might Happen?

Coach decides to allow athlete to compete– Athlete competes and has chance to be

selected– Risk of more damage to the body– Coach assumes authority and

responsibility of making decision– Conflict with parents likely avoided– Breach of club policy?

What Might Happen?

Coach decides not to allow athlete to compete– Athlete does not compete and chance to be selected

may be compromised– Risk of more damage to the body is negated– Coach assumes authority and responsibility of making

decision– Conflict with parents is likely– Provincial team coach may have come for nothing

Assessing Pros and Cons for Decision or Action

Passing judgment on merit of each option Points of reference needed

– Values i.e. deep held beliefs– Core coaching values in

• NCCP Code of Ethics• Fair Play Philosophy• Canadian Professional Coaches Association Statement of

Values

Assessing Pros and ConsOutcome Criteria

1. Promotes positive outcome for majority 2. Minimizes negative implications 3. Potential negatives affect fewest people 4. No risk for physical , intellectual, emotional,

social development of person 5. Does not represent obstacle to goal

achievement 6. Protects interests of vulnerable

Assessing Pros and ConsMeans Criteria Worksheet 2 pg. 15 Workbook

1. Fair and protects rights 2. Consistent with established rules and

principles 3. Consistent with past actions 4. Respects authority of people 5. Based on credible information

Values

NCCP Code of Ethics– Physical safety and

health of athletes– Coaching Responsibility– Maintaining Integrity in

Relations with others– Respect for Athletes– Honouring Sport

Fair Play Principles– Respect Rules of the

game– Respect Officials and

accept their decisions

– Respect the Opponent

– Equal opportunities– Maintain Dignity

Selecting the Best Option Workbook pg. 6 - 2.1.4

F ac to rs o f In flu en ce

P erson a l E xp erien ces P erson a l V a lu es P erson a l C ircu m s tan ces

In te rn a l F ac to rs(see p g 2 0 )

Selecting the Best Option Workbook pg. 6 - 2.1.4

F ac to rs o f In flu en ce

E con om ics an d P o lit ic s S everity o f S itu a tion O rg an iza tion a l, In s titu tion a lan d S oc ia l A sp ec ts

E xte rn a l F ac to rs(see p g 2 0 )

What Influences How You View A Situation And The Decisions You Make?

This figure has been adapted from Malloy, Ross and Zackus, 2000

Influences internes

Decision-Making

Internal Influences

Personal Experiences

Previous experience with a similar issue

Positive or negative

outcomes of previous similar decisions

Personal Values

Family background/upbringing

Formal education Religious beliefs Age Personal moral

development Cultural background

Personal Circumstances

Employment Coaching level and

development Reputation Personal relationships

External Influences

Economics And Politics

Economic impact of decision on context

Political/rights-based

issues of the situation

Severity Of Situation

Immediacy of the decision

Who is affected?

How many people are

affected?

Organizational, Institutional, And Social Aspects

Relations and links with:

organizations individuals communities

Social norms and

conventions

NCCP Code of Ethics

Impact on Coach’s Job

Athlete’s parents do performance appraisal of coach

Negative evaluation could terminate contract

Make promotion problematic in sport organization

Development of Coach’s Career

Similar to “Coach’s job” Provincial coach frustrated for non

productive trip and could provide obstacles for opportunities within the sport

Coach’s Reputation

Yes, regardless of decision Athlete not authorized to compete:

– Coach perceived as someone who acts according to convictions

– Cares about well being of athlete Athlete authorized to compete:

– Vice versa to not authorized– Influenced by pressure or power groups

Effect on Finances

Probably not

Undermine Personal Relations

If athlete not authorized to compete– Conflict between parents and coach– Comfort level between coach and

provincial team coach– Athlete frustration if not selected to

provincial team

Immediate decision

Must be made within the hour

Detrimental to Delay

Yes; If athlete authorized to play possibility

injury could get worse

Question Social Conventions

Organization has policy regarding authority of the coach

Parents have legal responsibility of their child

Coach does not allow athlete to compete, goes against wishes of parents

Professional or Social Standards

Yes Coach has moral obligations to make

decisions in the best interests of the athlete (i.e. NCCP Code of Ethics, CPCA Statement of Values, Fair Play Principles)

Do No Harm Principle! Pg. 15 Reference Manual

Your Decision?

Why it is the best decision? Give rationale

Action Plan – Implementing the Decision Workbook page 18 Who needs to know? What may happen? Ability to deal on your own? Plan B – what next if resolution doesn’t

work

NCCP Core Competencies

Problem-Solving– Apply a formal decision making process– Solve a complex situation

Valuing– Differentiate between ethical and legal issues– Understand rationale for Code of Ethics and basis

of values– Appreciate hierarchy of values in moral dilemma

NCCP Core Competencies

Critical Thinking– Evaluate options for decisions and actions– Appreciate the influence of the Ethical Codes in

decision making Leadership

– Make decisions that influence others– Assume responsibility for decisions and

consequences Interaction

– Exchange of ideas and opinions– Explain rationale for decision