A Political Perspective of Leadership: Examining the Political Skill of Sport Managers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the political skill of sport managers to assess its influence, along with P-O fit, on sport employees’ job engagement and organizational identification. The study’s sample consisted of American collegiate sport employees (N = 312) and findings revealed a positive influence of leaders’ political skill on employees’ job engagement and organizational identification when mediated by P-O fit. Two advancements are brought forth: (a) the value of political skill within the sport workplace and (b) the significance of P-O fit in supporting positive behaviors amongst sport employees. Additionally, sport leaders who employ politically skilled behaviors and enable P-O fit are likely to stimulate a competitive advantage for their sport organization. This study marks an early application of the political skill paradigm to the managerial element of sport and illustrates that sport managers who utilize political skill are able to cultivate positive employee-based outcomes.