The Power of Networking and Human Resource Management in Large-Scale Sporting Events

Are you looking to lead a major sporting event to success? A relatively recent study (Parent, Beaupre, & Séguin, 2009) highlights the critical leadership qualities necessary for organizing large-scale events such as the World Aquatics Championships. The study examines the qualities identified as important by stakeholders and how they are applied throughout the evolution of the event. The World Aquatics Championships was used as a case study to build an understanding of the essential leadership qualities needed to create a successful sporting event.

Through collecting archival material and interviews with the organizing committee and stakeholders, the study emphasized the importance of networking and human resource management as key leadership skills. The research identified specific leadership qualities that depended on the organizing committee’s mode, including financial skills, the ability to access resources, credibility, and communication and public relations. These qualities were found to be critical for success at different stages of the event’s evolution, from planning to implementation and wrap-up.

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Networking as a Critical Leadership Quality

Networking is a critical leadership quality for any large-scale sporting event, and it involves building relationships within and outside the organizing committee. Effective networking is essential to access resources, build credibility, and establish effective communication and public relations. Organizing committees skilled in networking can also secure sponsors, partners, and other important stakeholders to ensure the event's success.

Successful networking requires effective communication skills, the ability to identify key stakeholders, and a willingness to collaborate. Networking should be built on trust and should involve creating mutually beneficial relationships. A networking plan can also be developed to ensure all stakeholders are being reached and the committee is achieving its goals. To be effective at networking, leaders must also be aware of the political, business, and sports components of the event and be able to leverage them to secure support.

Personal Example: Networking to Secure a Job

Networking is something I learned early on in my career. When I graduated from college, I was eager to find a job in my field of interest but struggled to make connections in the industry. I attended various industry events and reached out to people in the field via social media. Eventually, I connected with someone with a position available and was impressed with my eagerness to learn. Through that networking connection, I secured my first job in the industry.

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Human Resource Management

Human resource management is another critical leadership quality required for large-scale sporting events. The organizing committee must be able to recruit and manage a diverse team with different skills and experiences, often on a tight timeline. This requires strong communication skills, the ability to build trust and collaboration, and the capacity to provide direction and support. The management of human resources also involves developing a clear understanding of each team member's roles and responsibilities and ensuring that everyone is working towards the same goals.

Effective human resource management also involves supporting team members to help them perform at their best. This may include training, development, and mentoring to help individuals develop their skills and enhance their performance. Leaders must also be prepared to provide feedback and constructive criticism to help individuals improve their performance. By building a strong team and developing the skills of each team member, leaders can ensure that the organizing committee is well-equipped to handle the complex demands of a large-scale sporting event.

Example: Managing a Team to Meet a Tight Deadline

In my current role as a project manager, I was tasked with managing a team to complete a project within a very tight deadline. To ensure success, I had to leverage my human resource management skills to motivate my team and foster collaboration. I communicated clear expectations, provided regular feedback, and ensured everyone had the resources needed to succeed. Through this approach, we completed the project on time and to a high standard.

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Financial Skills and Resource Access

Financial skills and the ability to access resources are also essential leadership qualities for large-scale sporting events. Managing budgets effectively, making strategic financial decisions, and securing funding from sponsors and other stakeholders are all critical elements of successful event management. Organizing committees must be able to create detailed budgets that allocate resources effectively, and they must be able to adapt to changing financial circumstances.

To manage finances effectively, leaders must also be able to think creatively and find ways to generate revenue beyond traditional sponsorship and ticket sales. This may involve developing new partnerships, identifying new revenue streams, or leveraging digital media to enhance the event experience for fans. By taking a strategic approach to financial management and resource access, leaders can ensure that their events are well-funded, well-managed, and well-received by all stakeholders.

Example: Managing a Tight Budget

In a previous role, I was tasked with managing a project with a tight budget. To ensure we could deliver the project within budget, I had to leverage my financial skills to make strategic decisions about resource allocation and tough choices about what we could and could not afford. Through effective budget management, we were able to complete the project successfully.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study on leadership qualities for large-scale sporting events has revealed that networking and human resource management are critical skills for success. Effective networking allows the organizing committee to access resources, build credibility, and establish effective communication and public relations. Human resource management involves recruiting and managing a diverse team with different skills and experiences, often on a tight timeline. Additionally, financial skills and resource access are also important for managing budgets effectively and securing funding from stakeholders.

By developing these key leadership qualities, professionals can position themselves for success in organizing large-scale sporting events. Leaders who possess these skills can build strong teams, secure important resources and sponsors, manage budgets effectively, and ultimately deliver a successful event that meets the needs of all stakeholders. Whether you are working in sports event management or seeking to enter this field, developing these essential skills can set you apart and help you achieve your career goals.

Reference:

Parent, M.M., Beaupre, R., & Séguin, B. (2009). Key leadership qualities for major sporting events: the case of the World Aquatics Championships. International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 6, 367-388.