MOTIVATION

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be happy doing it” –Buddha

Much can be said about the above statement. However the way I absorb it is if I am truly happy within myself then I will find success in whatever career path I take.

Motivation is what drives behaviour or the desire to act on something. Motivation can come in various forms however generally are made up of intrinsic or extrinsic factors that stimulate desire and energy in people to be continually interested and committed to a role or task.

Intrinsic motivation is when motivation comes from within, and it is determined by your personal values and goals. A great example of intrinsic motivation would be volunteer work or me participating in an internship withe the NSW Rugby Union. I have been motivated to do so as I am interested in the role and I am not working for any incentives.

Extrinsic motivation is when a person’s drive stems from external sources other than internally. For example, you’re pressured into something or you are only performing that task due to monetary rewards.

I can confidently say that I am mainly internally motivated as a person. My family in particular my son motivates me however my drive to do something generally forms because it is interesting or challenging.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

There are four main types of theories to take into account when determining a person’s leadership style and these include trait, behavioural, contingency or situational and transformational.

Trait based theories explore certain characteristics that a person portrays in which indicates the potential of an effective leader. These characteristics include:

·       Self confidence and motivation to achieve and lead

·       Industry knowledge and intellectual ability

·       Strong ability for self-expression and communication

Behavioural theories focus on how leaders behave. These theories explore the qualities of behaviours displayed toward followers and it identifies patterns within these behaviours.

Contingency and situational theories are influenced by the context in which leadership is exercised and how it changes in different situations.

Finally transformational theory is an approach to leadership that encourages change in individuals in which generates positive changes with the aim of transforming followers into leaders.

 (Bass, B and Avolio, B. 1990)

 In relation to the Project Coordinator (Jim Williams) of the LEL program, the most apparent leadership style of his would be that of a transformational leader. Jim posses the four components of the transformational leadership theory, which are:

·       Idealised Influence – Jim acts as a role model for participants in the LEL program and has a clear set of values and objectives. He is charismatic and engages authentically with the key stakeholders of the LEL program through displaying admirable and aspirational characteristics in which cause people to identify trust with him as an effective leader.

·       Inspirational Motivation – Jim articulates a vision that is appealing and inspires participants with optimism about future goals, and offers meaning for the current tasks in hand.

·      Intellectual Stimulation – Jim challenges assumptions, stimulates and encourages creativity in the participants. He provides a structured career development plan (CDP) that provides a framework for participants to understand how they connect to the LEL program.

·      Individualised Consideration – The CDP has been devised in order to create a profile of each student’s history, interests and future aspirations. By profiling each student Jim identifies each participants needs. From there a suitable career path is established and the student is then paired with a mentor that is relevant to each individual.

REFERENCES

Bass, B. and Avolio, B. (1990) The Implications of Transactional and Transformational Leadership for Individual, Team, and Organizational Development. Research in Organizational Change and Development, 4 p.231-272.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

WORK & SOCIETY

I commenced my internship at the NSW Rugby on the Tuesday 5^th of February 2013. My role is in the NSW Community Rugby department as the assistant project coordinator on the Learn Earn Legend (LEL) program.

The Learn Earn Legend program was developed to create pathways to successful careers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in years 11 and 12 from the participating schools across Sydney and the Central West.  The aim is to support students in the program in completing their senior schooling and move into further education, training, or meaningful employment. The program will develop a strong pool of resources and mentors, including former players and staff and other community, government, and business organisations that all work in conjunction to assist students in reaching their identified goals and set them on the road to career success. The program is a combined initiative of the NSW Rugby Union and the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and WorkplaceRelations  (DEEWR).

The Project Coordinator, Jim Williams will be responsible for the establishment and ongoing engagement of all participating schools and eligible students in a culturally appropriate and timely manner.  They will ensure that every eligible student for the program is engaged, profiled and supported throughout their entirety in the program and play an integral role in each student achieving their identified Career Development Pathway within 6 months of finishing their schooling.

My position as the Assistant Project Coordinator to the LEL program will assist in the administration, reporting, event management, travel and logistics, marketing communications including newsletters, promotional materials, online strategies (intranet and social media).

• Administration – maintain files and registers to assist the Project Coordinator with day to day administrative duties

• Reporting – prepare reports to NSWRU and DEEWR, maintain information registers of all student objectives and activities

• Event Management – coordinate LEL camps, dinners and activities for LEL students 

• Travel and Logistics – assist students with travel requirements to attend camps, presentations, etc.  Organise accommodation, meals as required

• Marketing Communication – prepare and distribute bi-monthly Newsletter. Devise promotional materials and distribute information to all participants, management of LEL online engagement

• Work with Rugby staff to ensure the program is integrated including the successful engagement of sponsors, staff and players