Student Research Feature: Before the Handshake: Wise Practices for the Support of Unpaid Officials in Athletics in Alberta.

The School of Leadership Studies would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sharon Evans on the completion of a Master’s Thesis titled, Before the Handshake: Wise Practices for the Support of Unpaid Officials in Athletics in Alberta.

This thesis is available through RRU’s library here.

We asked Sharon a few questions about this research and this is what they said: 

What are some key takeaways from your thesis that would be helpful for other leaders?

The key takeaway was the importance of relationships in organizations. One critical component of relationships was how two-way communication (or lack thereof) has on relationships. Followers need an avenue to dialogue with leadership for teams to be effective. Another pivotal finding was motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic. If you can understand what motivates your team, you will be better able to support their motivation to continue with an organization.

How is the organization moving change forward based on your work?

The organization has already started to implement some of the recommendations from the thesis, particularly around communication. Implementation takes time, and I plan to continue working with the organization to support logistics. The organization is currently in transition, and I anticipate some delay in implementation because of this transition.

What surprised you about your experience of the thesis process?

I knew that completing a written thesis would be a challenge, but I didn’t realize how connected to my thesis supervisor I would become. I felt nurtured and supported throughout the process and recognized the importance of choosing the right supervisor. When writing the thesis, I was concerned that I wouldn’t have enough of “myself” in the thesis, but I am reflected in every element of it.

How are you applying lessons learned from your whole MA-Leadership journey?

A completed thesis means validation of one’s perspective. I sometimes struggle to trust that my voice has a place in this world. My work on this thesis proves that my voice counts and inspires me to continue my leadership journey. The biggest lesson from the thesis was the importance of relationship development between leaders and team members. One wise way to support relationship is to implement avenues for two-way communication.