Stephen Brookes

Reflecting the Public Value of Sport

Abstract This article draws on qualitative research that explores the concept of public value in the delivery of sport services by the organization Sport England. The research took place against a backdrop of shifting priorities following the award of the 2012 Olympic Games to London. It highlights the difficulties that exist in measuring the qualitative nature of the public value of sport and suggests there is a need to understand better the idea. Research with organizations involved alongside Sport England in the delivery of sport is described. This explores the potential to create a public value vision, how to measure it and how to focus public value on delivery beyond the aim of ‘sport for sports sake’ and more towards ‘sport for the greater good’. The article argues that this represents a game of ‘two halves’ in which the first half focuses on 2012 with the second half concerned with its legacy.

Out with the Old; In with the New: why excellent leadership makes a difference

Excellent leadership makes a difference to partnership performance and is arguably the most critical success factor for partnership working. Without it, partnerships would be ineffective. It is, however, perceived as a problematic issue for a number of reasons. First, traditional approaches to leadership have focused almost exclusively on individuals. Second, leadership is often seen as just one part of an organisational system rather than something that pervades the whole. Finally, it is said to be difficult to measure and therefore supposedly hard to tell the good leadership from the bad.

Is selfless leadership an impossible ideal for public leaders

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the notion of the “Selfless Leader” and to pose the question as to whether this is an impossible ideal. It locates the importance of values within the context of public leadership and puts forward a new perspective on principle-based leadership that incorporates selflessness as its foundation. Design/methodology/approach – It primarily involves a literature review in relation to the importance of virtues and values based on an historical review, and the wider language of leadership. It draws briefly upon primary research based on realistic evaluation (Pawson and Tilley, 1997) across a range of public service organisations in various differing contexts but is, primarily, a conceptual paper aimed at encouraging further debate and research. Findings – Given the fact that we are innately selfish, the requirement to lead in the public interest provides a real challenge for all leaders particularly as leaders are encouraged more towards achievement of competit...