Professional Philosophy

Professional Philosophy
Introduction to Sports Administration
Scott Van Hende
Wayne State University

Professional Philosophy

A personal philosophy is a reflection of self; it is your personality, beliefs,

attitudes, values, and experiences which combined impact the decisions and actions
you take. As an individual seeking a professional job in the near future it is important to
have a philosophy which you can rely on. In my personal philosophy I will cover areas
including: value of a profession in sports, my style of leadership, ethical behaviour,
relationship with others, and the importance of a mentor.
Nelson Mandela told it best when he discussed the power sport can have, he
said Sport has the power to change the world...it has power to inspire. It has the power
to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they
understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more
powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all
types of discrimination. (Mandela, 2000) This is more than a simple quote to me as it
holds so much truth which I have witness first hand. This is the value of a profession in
the sports industry, like Mandela said It has the power to unite people. Through my
own experiences in sport I truly believe his words and cannot think of another
profession I would want to be a part of.
Leadership style tells a lot about an individual, as a simplistic way of viewing it, it
is how someone treats another when they are in charge. Leaders with weak
philosophies often have their personality, attitude, and values change with their false
sense of superiority. Having known leaders like this I understand the need for a
personal and professional philosophy to live by. Personally when I fall into leaderships
roles I often take a participative or democratic approach. I like to hear the input of others
as I find the best answers are usually not found by one person but a combination of
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Professional Philosophy

individual ideas. I believe respecting the opinions of others is not only good policy but it
also lets individuals know that they are valued, as Anne M. Mulcahy said employees
who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person not just an
employee - are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Satisfied employees
mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability. (Mulcahy, Anne) Simply put
treating other as people with respect and appreciation can go along way for you and
your business.
Ethics by definition are moral principles that govern a persons behaviour
(Oxford Dictionay); people of a society have an unspoken agreement on ethics which
govern society as a whole. This general agreement defines what actions as a whole we
think are right and what we think is wrong. But as history shows doing something that is
socially acceptable is not always ethical, society can become ethically corrupt like Nazi
Germany or pre civil war U.S. This is why it is important to continually study our own
moral beliefs and conduct despite societal norms. I believe ethics is two things, first it is
standards of right and wrong, what we as humans ought to do, what were obligated to
do, what benefits society, what is fair, and to be virtuous as a society. Secondly I
believe it is a personal standard which you must continue to examine and strive for. For
myself I strive to be honest, compassionate, understanding, loyal, and tolerant. Being a
professional you meet, work with, and communicate with many types of people from
various backgrounds and belief systems, by following my own ethical standards along
with societies I am able to create meaningful personal relationships and successful
business relationships. Trying to enter the sports industry I believe these traits are
important to successfully find a career and prosper in it.
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Professional Philosophy

Relationships with others are almost as important or could even be more

important than education in todays competitive society. We have all heard the phrase
its not what you know, but who you know and I believe this statement to be true. More
often than not it is your relationship with others that sets you apart from the crowd.
Networking is a great tool to help your own professional career get started and continue
your growth, but just knowing names and associations is not enough. Relationships are
key for a professional career in all fields and very important to me. Knowing my own
personality I do not find hard it difficult to make acquaintances but it takes time to for me
to create friendships and relationships. In my own experience I find that there are many
people who often confuse these two things that they rather quantity over quality of
relationships. Although I have an abundance of acquaintances I focus more on the
friendships and relationships that are meaningful. These individuals whom I have close
friendships and relationships with are culturally diverse coming from different areas of
the country and backgrounds, this is important to me as I learn differently from each.
Through these relationships it has helped me in my professional career when
associating with individuals of different race, religion, and culture to the point where I am
comfortable working with anyone. I find this very valuable as sports and the sports
industry attracts all walks of life and it is important to be able to work, associate and
maintain relationships with all different types of individuals.
One of the most significant impacts on my life and something I am extremely
grateful for is the two individuals that have served as mentors to me over the years.
When Richard Branson is asked what is the missing link between a promising
businessperson and a successful one, mentoring comes to [his] mind. (Branson,
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Professional Philosophy

Richard). Richard goes on to say, If you ask any successful businessperson, they will
always have had a great mentor at some point along the road. If you want success then
it takes hard work, hard work and more hard work. But it also takes a little help along
the way. If you are determined and enthusiastic then people will support you. (Branson,
Richard) Nothing worthwhile comes easy and hard work is a necessity for success but
at some point everyone needs help. In my life I have been blessed with these
individuals who have been there for me during these times and continue to be there
when needed. For me both my mentors came into my life through sports and
education, one being the head football coach at my high school and the other being my
strength and conditioning coach at university. Both mentors being extremely different
people have taught me a wide array of invaluable skills which I use in my personal and
professional life. Going through the mentoring process myself I often find I share the
skills I have learned with friends that are younger than me, thus being becoming
something of a mentor myself. It is hard to understand the process if you have never
experienced it firsthand but mentoring has helped me develop not only professionally
but also personally, and is something I look forward to when I am in a position to a
mentor.
As a soon to be professional it is important to have a philosophy in place both
personally and professionally. My philosophy reflects my beliefs, attitudes, values, and
life experiences which shape who I am as an individual. It is not stagnate but continues
to develop through my education, training, and experiences which I have shared. Sports
has allowed me to develop my style of leadership, off and on the field I have found what
I believe in ethically, it has created relationship and experiences with others that are
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lasting , has introduced me to mentors that have greatly affected my life, and this is why
I value a profession in sports industry.

Professional Philosophy

References
Branson, Richard. (n.d). The Importance of Mentoring. Retrieved October 21,
2014. From < http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/the-importance-of-mentoring>
Ethics [Def. 1]. (n.d.). In Oxford Dictionary Online, Retrieved October 22, 2014.
From <http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/ethics>
Mandela, Nelson. (2000, May). The Power of Sports. Speech presented at the
Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award. Monaco 2000.
Mulcahy, Anne. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved October 21, 2014. From
BrainyQuote.com Web Site:
<http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/annemmulc424887.html>