Assignment task:
Write a reply for each discussion post. Each reply must be at least 200 words; must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation in APA format.
Any sources cited must have been published within the last ten years. Acceptable sources include relevant articles that are external to the course (i.e. must be in addition to the course text and other course materials provided). Need Assignment Help?
Discussion Post for Replies
Discussion by Oluwatoni Ogunleye
In Lloyd Sandelands' article, he discusses how business should be about more than just making money. He connects this idea to Christian values, showing that work should reflect service to others and honor God. This perspective is especially important for leaders in sports organizations, who need to manage finances wisely while staying true to their mission and values. Leaders in sports must balance making profits with making a positive impact on their community and market.
Sports organizations are not just businesses; they are also deeply connected to the people and communities they serve. Leaders in these organizations have to make smart financial decisions, like setting ticket prices or choosing sponsors, without forgetting their larger responsibilities. Luke 16:10 reminds us, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much (New International Version, 2011)." This verse highlights the need for leaders to handle resources carefully and with integrity. For example, a team might choose a sponsor based on shared values, even if another option offers more money. These decisions show the organization's commitment to doing what is right, not just what is profitable.
Engaging with the outside market is another way sports organizations can serve their communities and live out their values. For example, partnerships and sponsorships offer chances to promote healthy living or social causes. Leaders must think about how their choices impact the community and reflect their mission. Mark 12:31 says, "Love your neighbor as yourself (New International Version, 2011)."This principle applies to leaders who want their organizations to have a positive influence beyond the playing field.
Two sources support this way of thinking. In Good to Great, Jim Collins (2001) explains that successful organizations focus on long-term goals instead of quick wins. For sports organizations, this could mean prioritizing community trust and sustainable growth over chasing short-term profits. Also, in their work on creating shared value, Porter and Kramer show how businesses can align making money with making a difference in society. Sports organizations are in a perfect position to do this because they have such a strong connection to their fans and communities (Porter & Kramer, 2011).
The Bible teaches us to do everything with excellence and purpose. Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (New International Version, 2011). " Leaders in sports organizations have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the world by honoring God through their work. By being wise with finances, engaging with the market thoughtfully, and living out Christian values, they can create lasting impacts that go beyond the scoreboard.
References:
Collins, J. (2001). Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't. HarperBusiness.
Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2011). Creating shared value. Harvard Business Review.
Discussion by Rechandralyn Williams
Lloyd Sandelands' 2017 article, The Real Mystery of Positive Business: A Response from Christian Faith, calls for a Christian approach to leadership that transcends profit maximization, urging leaders to adopt ethical and responsible business practices. For those in sport business with financial responsibilities, this perspective offers significant guidance on how to align Christian values with leadership, market engagement, and financial decision-making.
In sport business, financial performance is critical, but Sandelands suggests that businesses, including sports organizations, should view financial resources as tools for broader social good rather than ends in themselves. This aligns with the Biblical principle from 1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is the root of all evil." Christian leaders in sport organizations should focus on responsible stewardship, ensuring long-term sustainability while promoting fairness and justice. This can include fair employee compensation, ethical sponsorship deals, and investing in community development. Business as Mission (Kohl et al., 2010) emphasizes that businesses should serve societal good, making profit a means to an end, not the end itself. Sandelands also challenges leaders to engage the market with integrity. In the sports industry, this involves relationships with fans, sponsors, and media. Christian leaders should prioritize transparency and avoid exploitative practices. Philippians 2:4 reminds us: "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." By building relationships that emphasize mutual respect and community benefit, such as supporting sustainability or social justice, sport organizations can reflect Christian values. These efforts go beyond profit, showing a commitment to a greater societal good.
Sandelands advocates for leadership that reflects humility, servant leadership, and integrity. In sport, this means putting the welfare of players, employees, and fans above financial gain. The Servant Leader (Greenleaf, 1977) argues that the core responsibility of a leader is to serve others, not to amass power. Proverbs 12:22 also speaks to the importance of trustworthiness: "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." Sport leaders must practice transparency and humility, ensuring their decisions align with Christian principles of love and justice. Incorporating Sandelands' ideas into sport business requires Christian leaders to prioritize ethical financial practices, engage with external markets responsibly, and lead with integrity. By doing so, sport organizations can achieve long-term success while reflecting Christian values in a practical, impactful way.
References:
- Bible gateway passage: phillipians 2 - new international version. Bible Gateway. (n.d.-a).
- Bible gateway passage: proverbs 12 - new international version. Bible Gateway. (n.d.-a).
- Bible gateway passage: Timothy 6 - new international version. Bible Gateway. (n.d.-a).
- Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). The Servant Leader. Paulist Press.
- Kohl, H. et al. (2010). Business as Mission: A Comprehensive Guide to Theory and Practice. InterVarsity Press.
- Sandelands, L. (2017). The Real Mystery of Positive Business: A Response from Christian Faith. Journal of Business Ethics.