The secret to successful sports organizations? Employees who feel safe enough to speak up

With major sporting events like Wimbledon and the FIFA World Cup drawing global attention this summer, new findings from a University of Florida researcher highlight an often-overlooked factor behind their success: the well-being of the employees working behind the scenes. 

“We found that ‘psychological safety’ — the belief that you can speak up, take risks and share ideas without fear of negative consequences — plays a critical role in employees’ willingness to innovate and thrive at work,” said Jasamine Hill, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the UF Department of Sport Management, who led a recent study published in Managing Sport and Leisure. 

Researchers analyzed responses from 224 managerial sport employees across the United States, representing a range of competitive sport organizations, including Division I athletic departments, Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, the National Football League and Major League Soccer. 

Study participants were surveyed about their supervisors’ leadership styles, including whether they were approachable, attentive and open to new ideas. Researchers also assessed employees’ sense of psychological safety, as well as their willingness to take risks and pursue innovative solutions. The findings offer sports organizations a potential path to address longstanding industry challenges, including burnout, turnover and workplace toxicity.

“For many, working in the sports industry comes at a cost,” Hill said. “Long hours, intense pressure and high-stakes environments contribute to burnout and turnover, leading organizations to lose not only experienced workers but also the unique ideas that drive growth.” 

The study revealed a clear chain reaction: Employees felt more psychologically safe when their supervisors were supportive and accessible. That sense of safety made employees more willing to take risks and share ideas without fear of criticism or repercussions. The study also found that psychological safety was linked to higher levels of employee well-being, while engaging in innovative work further contributed to employees’ overall sense of fulfillment.

“The sports industry thrives on innovation, but employees are unlikely to take creative risks if they fear being dismissed or penalized,” Hill said. “A big takeaway from this study is that adopting inclusive leadership traits, like listening to different perspectives without judgment and keeping an open mind when it comes to decision making, can help create the trust and safety necessary for new ideas to emerge and for employees to flourish.” 

Hill also explained that these insights are critical to keep in mind, given the expectations of millennials and Generation Z employees entering the workforce who will shape the future of sports organizations.

“Our previous research has shown that these generations strongly value a workplace that encourages creativity, innovation and personal well-being,” Hill said. “When organizations create cultures where people feel heard and supported, they not only improve employee well-being but also unlock the innovation needed to stay competitive.”