Leadership efficacy, perceived sport performance, and satisfaction with leadership of competitive athletes

Abstract

The Leadership Efficacy Model is an integrative approach that considers three distinct factors involved in leadership efficacy that simultaneously contribute to explaining leadership efficacy (i.e., Optimized Congruence Hypothesis; OCH): leadership cycles, leadership styles, and antecedent factors of leadership. This study tested the OCH by evaluating the relationship between leadership cycles and the perception of sport performance (individual and team) and satisfaction with leadership, considering also the influence of leadership styles and antecedent factors of leadership. It also tested the invariance of the OCH according to athletes’ gender and type of sport. The study included 255 athletes (146 women) playing basketball or volleyball competitively. Results indicated the need for coaches to explain leadership cycles further to their athletes and confirmed the OCH for perception of individual sport performance and satisfaction with leadership. This relationship was mediated by leadership styles and antecedent factors, regardless of athletes’ gender and type of sport. In summary, coaches should consider the leadership cycles, styles, and antecedent factors of leadership to increase their efficacy.