Although I look at my past degree changes, and robust amount

of work experience outside of the sports field as negatives at times, it

is these things that have made me well well-rounded in multiple areas
of life and have helped me mold my professional philosophy. Although
my philosophy might not be strictly relating to the jobs in the
administrative sports role in which I am seeking, it is molded in a way
which allow me to thrive in a multitude of jobs in a variety of roles and
has two common threads throughout: professionalism and ability to
adapt.
On all levels, I would define myself as easy-going. I often take a
cool, calm, and collected approach when heading into things. It is this
approach that makes it easy for me to be able to adapt easily and
efficiently. Part of being able to adapt has to do with my ability to use
the same set of transferrable skills everywhere I go. Although my
teaching classes that I took once upon time focused on educating in a
classroom, I carry a lot of those same fundamentals that were taught,
into the work field. How people learn and how people react to what is
being taught are principles which carry over even outside of a
classroom. The ideas are the same, the methods in which those ideas
are carried out just have to be altered depending on the situation and
atmosphere. How I managed my time and delegated tasks as a
department lead might not exactly align with all professions but with
careful thought and consideration combined with tweaking and an

open-mind, it can easily being transferred over to a different profession

with much success. It is with great pride that I say my ability to often
do those tweaks and alterations help mold what my philosophy is
about. My diverse background has allowed me to see that adaptations
are always needed. Because of that, I refuse to believe no one way is
the right way and what once worked may not always work. I view
everything on the professional level as something that can be formed
and then reformed as needed. I am always looking for new ideas and
better ways to execute tasks and am not one to shut out ideas that
may make me re-think what I do or may even modify this philosophy.
It has been molded from my past experiences but it a soft mold
meaning my future experiences may change it.
An important element that helps mold and define my
professional philosophy is my leadership style. I lead by example and
have adapted a do as I do approach as opposed to a do as I say
approach and will continue to adapt such throughout the entirety of my
career. I find it crucial to show your co-workers, especially those who
you oversee or are managing that you are one of them. I will never
ask anyone to do what I will not or have not already done. A good
amount of my working experience comes from the retail realm in which
this leadership style has always been met with open arms and respect.
More concrete examples of this include being out on the sales floor as
opposed to the office in which I could spend my time. If I have asked

someone to come in to work an irregular Saturday night shift, it is

known that I will be right there too or was working that same shift on a
recent Saturday. Some may view this type of leadership as too laid
back but it is this laid back approach that allows me to get the most
out of my employees all while not distancing myself from and or
alienating them. I am confident that such a leadership style will
translate into any work force seamlessly and plan to carry out the
same sort of demeanor in whatever administrative role that I will find
myself in.
Another characteristic about myself that helps identify my
philosophy is the quality of truly being a people person. In its most
simplistic state, the term people person can be very general. When
looked at upon beyond just the broad description, what I mean by
being a people person carries over to how I carry myself in professional
settings and how that relates to my professional relationships. I make
it a goal to get a long with all of my co-workers whether they be my
superiors or subordinates. Almost all industries nowadays are mini
melting pots. The sports industry is a prime example. Almost all
organizations have employees of different cultures, ethnicities, and
races. I vow to embrace all these cultures and do my best to relate to
all of them. I vow to adapt as needed to help my workforce be unified
yet representative of different cultures and beliefs. I find great pride in
getting along with different groups of people and plan to use this high

level of cultural competency that I possess to better whatever

organization I may find myself working for.
A lot of what I am trying to communicate in this philosophy
mirrors what I try to do outside of the workplace. Being easy going,
willing to adapt, culturally competent, and my leadership style does
not differ whether under the confines of my occupation or the confines
of my house. That is why I believe I can truly practice what I am
preaching. The fact that I strive to utilize these qualities makes it easy
for me to have a genuine backing for them once I do punch in. Being
a role model and a motivator are two more of these qualities that
transpose over to the workplace. I believe that being a role model is
imperative especially when holding a position of authority. If you want
someone to learn from you, I think they must first look up to you in
certain ways. The late John Wooden, American basketball player and
coach, best known for his dominant run as the head of the UCLA mens
basketball team sums this up best in his book Wooden, when he says
Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating. That
speaks volumes to what I try to do day in and day out. Im not a loud
guy. I am not one to get in ones face and holler but I try to lead by
example. I try to be that the role model and motivator who leads by
example. I vow to be the person whose staff adapts the blue collar, roll
up your sleeves and gets to work mentality because that is what I will

be modeling day in and day out. Success depends on your staff and if
your staffs believe in you, success can and will be an achieved belief.
At this point in the program, I am not exactly certain on where
this degree will lead me or exactly if I have one set goal but I am
excited for this journey whatever the destination may be. As did all my
past experiences and education, this chapter should also help me
construct my outlook and philosophies even more. One true interest
that has always stuck with me was that of professional sports.
Although I realize being a fan alone does not make me the perfect
candidate for a sports administration job, I do believe my uncanny
affinity for the sport world coupled with this professional philosophy
will have me ready to tackle the field.

Works Cited
Wooden, John, and Steve Jamison. Wooden: A Lifetime of
Observations and Reflections on and off the Court. N.p.: McGraw-Hill,
1997. Print.