Examining Administrative Philosophies & Types of Administrators

PE 416Dr. Kostelis

Why Study Administration

Philosophy & Administration

“Investigation of causes and laws underlying reality; inquiry into the nature of things based on logical reasoning rather than empirical investigation; or the system of values by which one lives”

Philosophy dictates course of action

Ethics – principled right & wrong behavior

Beliefs – “ I believe . . . “

Values – “ I value . . . “

Principles – “ I will not . . . Or I will always try to . . . . “

Actions – “ I will follow this rule of . . . “

Written Rules Unwritten Rules

Ethics

Need to develop ethical principles that monitors own actions

Administrative Philosophies

Idealism

Realism

Pragmatism

Existentialism

What is your Administrative Philosophy?

How do you envision a PE Program being run?

What are some of your own goals and objectives?

What activities do you feel are important to help achieve your goals of the program?

Basis for Philosophy

IDEALISM Reality depends on mind & spirit

Develop body through spirit and mind Truth from ideas

Focused on developing character, thus evaluation is subjective

Value static & unchanging; foundation for life Resist change, follow traditional paths

Basis for Philosophy

IDEALISM

Sports supported are those that emphasize mental discipline

Basis for Philosophy

REALISM Reality is based on science

Develop body in measurable ways Truth gained through physical world &

experience Value is something objective

Organized systematic health & fitness-testing; use computers and comparative standards (objective skill tests and performance)

Basis for Philosophy

REALISM

Sports supported are those that can use statistics showing measurement and gains in strength and other measurable factors

Basis for Philosophy

PRAGMATISM (experimentation or instrumentalism)

Reality is experienced, ever-changing

Truth is discovered by experience, go with what works, just adjust & be practical!

Value is predicted on judgment, based on experience and good of the society

Basis for Philosophy

PRAGMATISM

Sports supported are the ones that are most popular with spectators and allow “play”, such as dance and rhythm activities

“What works best!”

Basis for PhilosophyEXISTENTIALISM Reality lies within individuals &

experience of being, freedom of choice & responsibility for morals Decisions are based on previous

experience, sometimes inconsistent and nonconforming

Truth through personal experiences Freewill, but weighs moral issues

Values determined through self-examination, choices toward self-realization and self-determination

Basis for Philosophy

EXISTENTIALISM

Sports supported are the individual sport vs. team sport and those making no comparisons to norms or standards

Also movement education, rhythms, modern dance, and cooperative group activities to allow self-expression and allows discovery

Basis for Philosophy

ECLECTISM Adopt several philosophies

Need workable philosophy

Need philosophy that consistently points in the direction for important administrative decisions (if not then will end in court!)

What is your Administrative Philosophy?

How do you envision a PE Program being run?

What are some of your own goals and objectives?

What activities do you feel are important to help achieve your goals of the program?

Types of Administrators

LAISSEZ-FAIRE

AUTOCRATIC

DEMOCRATIC

Types of AdministratorsLAISSEZ-FAIRE –

“Hands off” Low Profile, organization to operate on own

Usually results from negative, poorly prepared, insecure, lazy administration

Types of Administrators

LAISSEZ-FAIRE Positive Aspects

Young, energetic, can try innovative ideas Older can initiate new or terminate programs Higher ranking has little pressure or conflict

Negative Aspects Lacks leadership Poor, ineffective, weak workers continue to

function “don’t rock the boat” Young and inexperienced lost in shuffle No drive for excellence or long-range plans

Types of Administrators

AUTOCRATIC OR AUTHORITARIAN Administrator functions as boss not leader, thus is equivalent to “benevolent despot”

High degree of uniformity, controlled variables, narrow objectives

Types of AdministratorsAUTOCRATIC OR AUTHORITARIAN Positive Aspects

Efficient, especially when understaffed Few meetings, little debates Changes without delay Inexperienced usually function well

Negative Aspects Lose synergy and power of group thinking Staff of “yes” Decisions without all information Policies and programs as good as leader When mistakes, they are usually large Young do not usually benefit in growth

Types of Administrators

DEMOCRATIC “Creative ideas that a group of

individuals can generate in a lively meeting will be far greater than the same group might identify if they were all working independently”

“Group Dynamics” – participatory governance

Types of AdministratorsDEMOCRATIC Positive Aspects

Determine own destiny Young gain experience on committees All work together Group decisions

Negative Aspects Inefficiency, committee on committees Many compromises needed, thus maybe

unworkable

Types of Administrators

ECLECTIC Often times democratic as cornerstone and mix other approaches as special situations arise

What type of administrator will you be?