Leadership and Service
in the
Athletic Training Profession
MAATA Annual Symposium
May 2017
Patricia Aronson, PhD, ATC
Lynchburg College
District III Director
NATA Board of Directors
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Learning Objectives
• Recognize professional leadership opportunities in AT
at the local, state, regional, and national levels
• Develop a plan for personal engagement in the AT
profession.
• Differentiate from one professional’s involvement to
one’s own personal development.
• Judge the appropriateness of professional engagement
in Athletic Training.
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Laurent and Bradney
• Laurent TG, Bradney DA. Leadership behaviors of
athletic training leaders compared with leaders in other
fields, J Athl Train. 2007; 42(1): 120-125.
– Effective leaders have the ability to get things done by
influencing others.
– Conclusion: Athletic training leaders are transformational
leaders [attitudes, values, shared vision, high standards].
Athletic training education program accreditation
requirements likely account for the difference in leadership
practices between PDs and HATCs.
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Kahanov and Andrews
Kahanov L, Andrews L. A survey of athletic training
employers’ hiring criteria. J Athl Train. 2001; 36:408-412.
• Personal characteristics accounted for 25% of the
variance in employers' hiring criteria: these
characteristics included self-confidence, maturity,
interpersonal skills, assertiveness, enthusiasm, technical
skills, ability to articulate goals, oral communication
skills, leadership skills, initiative, ambition, problemsolving skills, and writing skills.
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BOC Practice Analysis,
th
7
Ed
• Health Care Administration (Domain 5)
– Knowledge of:
• k. Leadership styles and theories
– Skill in:
• s. Providing leadership appropriate to situations and
people
• o. Interacting with appropriate administrative leadership
Henderson J. The 2015 Athletic Trainer Practice Analysis Study. Omaha NE:
Board of Certification; 2015.
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Leadership Defined
• Google: defining “Leadership” top hits:
–
–
–
–
33 Ways to Define Leadership
5 Ways to Define Leadership
The 9 Traits That Define Great Leadership
http://www.georgeambler.com/defining-leadership/
• Leadership as influence
• Leadership as change
• Leadership as service
• Leadership as character
• Leadership as development
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Leadership Defined
• “If your actions inspire others to dream more,
learn more, do more and become more, you are
a leader.” — John Quincy Adams, American 6th
US President (1825-29)
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12 Distinguishing Qualities
that Define True Leaders
By Henry S. Givray, President & CEO, SmithBucklin
http://www.boardforward.com/201411/12_Distinguishing_Qualities_that_Define_True_Leaders#jump
1. Uncompromised integrity in both words and
action
2. Striving hard to earn trust and readily giving it
3. Courage and self-confidence to do the right thing
versus what’s convenient, expedient, popular or
personally beneficial
4. Honoring one’s word by always delivering on
promises and commitments
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12 Distinguishing Qualities
that Define True Leaders
By Henry S. Givray, President & CEO, SmithBucklin
http://www.boardforward.com/201411/12_Distinguishing_Qualities_that_Define_True_Leaders#jump
5. Resolute determination to surface and confront issues
and conflict with openness and candor balanced with
diplomacy and empathy
6. Accountability, defined as embracing ownership of
actions, decisions, commitments and results – yours and
those of the people who answer to you
7. A steadfast work ethic and commitment to personal
excellence
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12 Distinguishing Qualities that Define True
Leaders
By Henry S. Givray, President & CEO, SmithBucklin
http://www.boardforward.com/201411/12_Distinguishing_Qualities_that_Define_True_Leaders#jump
8. Authentic humility
9. Compassion, kindness and genuine caring for others
10. A genuine desire to serve others; putting service
ahead of self-interest
11. Tough-minded optimism
12. A high degree of self-awareness
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What’s wrong with this tweet?
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Does this help or
hurt the AT
profession?
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NATA Women in Athletic Training
Task Force Survey - 1996
• Please indicate whether you have done the following
activities:
• 1. Volunteered to serve on committees at the national
level, district level, or state level
• 2. Been asked to serve on committees at the national
level, district level, or state level
• SURVEY SAYS:
– Women responding NEVER:
• 1) 89, 84, 72%
• 2) 93, 89, 83%
– Men responding NEVER:
• 1) 79 70, 57%
• 2) 85, 79, 64%
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By Gender 2015-16:
M: 438 (47.6%)
F: 482 (52.4%)
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Climbing the
Leadership Ladder
As an individual, what can one
DO to become a leader in the
profession of AT or other
service-oriented professions?
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One professional’s journey
• First 3 years  GA, Intern, 1st year real job
– No professional involvement
• +4 years  at D1 working as Assistant AT
– State games, Cramer Clinics
• + 25 years  Head AT then Prof at DIII
– VATA: PRC, Regional Rep, President-Elect,
President
– NATA: WATC (11 years!)
– District: Secretary  Director + NATA: BOD
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Ways to Get Involved TODAY
1.
2.
3.
4.
School Level
State Level
Regional Level
National Level – 900+ volunteers!
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Involvement
• Leaders point the direction better
than most.
– Greenleaf
• If you are not a leader… what then?
• MOVE THE PROFESSION FORWARD!
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Top 10 ways to support the AT
profession
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Post something positive about your profession or job on social media
Donate to the NATA Foundation
Donate to the NATA PAC or your state PAC
Secure a personal NPI number (students as well as professionals)
Call, write, e-mail, and/or visit your state and national legislators today to say, “hello,
I’m here, and I vote with 45,000 other ATs”
Call a committee chair or your state president and ask if he/she needs help with any
activities (short-term or long-term projects)
Join or renew your NATA Membership and read the materials sent to you to keep
informed, take the surveys, vote in the elections, be engaged in the profession
Consider applying to the NATA Leadership Academy as professional development or
work on a Safe Sports School Award
If you have a calling for care, consider training with the ATs Care program when DIII
brings the program to the district meeting
If you are an AT working in the Secondary School Setting, complete the ATLAS
survey (we have provided a QR code in the Newsletter for quick app access)
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Learning Objectives
• Recognize professional leadership opportunities in AT
at the local, state, regional, and national levels
• Develop a plan for personal engagement in the AT
profession.
• Differentiate from one professional’s involvement to
one’s own personal development.
• Judge the appropriateness of professional engagement
in Athletic Training.
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NETWORKING PRACTICE
•
•
•
•
Introductions
Positions of leadership
1 piece of advice
MEET!
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The Professional Leadership and
Service in Athletic Training
Lynchburg College
Thank you for your future service!
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