We talk a lot about defining roles for your players on the “Courtside Culture Podcast.” And how unhealthy role ambiguity is to any team culture. So, whether you’re coaching a team, or managing a business, your players (or employees) must have a defined role for your team (or business) to be successful.
I recently spoke to Charron Sumler, an Athletics Counselor at The Ohio State University. She brought up role ambiguity and the detrimental effects it has on players. She mentioned that it’s a term often used to describe employees who aren’t sure what their roles are in the organization, and how it leads to increased turnover and dissatisfaction.
She says it applies to sports as well. When players are battling role ambiguity it will directly affect their performance and the team’s culture. So, let’s take a look at what role ambiguity is, how it can affect your players, and how you can keep it from affecting your team.
What is Role Ambiguity?
Role ambiguity occurs when a player’s work responsibilities and degree of authority are unclear. In the workplace, it’s one of the most widely studied variables in the field of occupational stress.
In the workplace, studies show that role ambiguity is associated with the following attitudes:
- Overall job dissatisfaction
- Dissatisfaction with work tasks
- Dissatisfaction with supervision
- Dissatisfaction with coworkers
- Low organizational commitment
- Low job involvement.
- High turnover intention
- Absenteeism
Role ambiguity is a source of conflicts, low productivity and disengagement. Also, players (or employees) with unclear responsibilities will tend to underperform and to blame their lack of productivity on this apparent confusion.
How Role Ambiguity Affects Team Culture
When this occurs, team culture begins to break down. Players with unclear roles begin to disconnect, lack confidence, and it’s typically the coach that they blame.
One study found a significant relationship between role ambiguity and team cohesion. More ambiguity led to less team cohesion. The results suggest the importance of creating awareness about team roles and their effects on team cohesion and culture.
This information is useful for coaches who are interested in creating strong team cohesion and/or reducing role ambiguity. The more players you have on your team with undefined roles will significantly increase the negative effects it will have on your group overall.
How To Avoid Role Ambiguity
Poor communication is typically the root cause of undefined roles. Coaches must talk to their players. If you’re a coach that desires team cohesion, or is trying to build a good team culture, then you must be aware of its relationship with role ambiguity.
You’ll want to alert your players about the importance of knowing their role and sticking to it. Through simply creating awareness of the value of knowing one’s role, your team members will likely make a more conscious effort to learn their role. And keep the conversation going. Always make sure your players understand their roles.