The Sports Psychology Blog

Today's Sports Psychology blog comes after Lancashire's lame Twenty-Twenty Cup semi final exit to Gloucestershire. Another example of under-achievement from the Red Rose county.

Cricket: Mark Chilton - Is it Nice?

Mark Chilton - A Leader's Dilemma It's semi-final's morning in the Twenty-Twenty Final and Lancashire's captain Mark Chilton has been left out of the team to play Gloucestershire. Unexpectedly, Mal Loye has a recurrence of a back spasm problem, and next thing we know Chilton is back in the team. When asked by Sky Sports how it feels to be back in, Chilton remarks that 'it is nice'.

'It is nice', may be apt when describing a holiday, or a family birthday party, but it seems totally inappropriate for this moment. It is simply not the language of a leader. It's too soft. Too comfortable. Too personal. It lacks edge. It lacks authority. Why? Because Mark Chilton has lost his authority.

When Mark Chilton was dropped, Lancashire had to re-adjust to the notion of a new leader, Stuart Law. A new style. Different type of command. Stuart Law had to prepare himself. The focus of leadership had transferred.

Then for Mark Chilton to be suddenly reinstated, throws the team into another mental re-adjustment. What's going on?

Chilton was not in good enough form to be in the team, never mind lead it. Now he is back in at the eleventh hour. His authority is diminished. As a player and as a leader.

Mark Chilton's comment of 'It is nice', suggests that he is experiencing a strong sense of personal contradiction. Between knowing that he is not in good form and shouldn't be in the team, versus to be now leading the team. This is personally a very uncomfortable situation for him. He has managed to find a default position within himself. But inwardly you suspect he knows he is on shaky ground. And his team know it too.

For a leader to be effective and commanding, his authority cannot be shrouded in doubt. If so, he is no longer a leader. Why? Because who wants to follow or take command from someone you do not have total belief in. Mark Chilton had lost the vital currency that every leader must have. The aura of authority.

It is no surprise when star-studded Lancashire are easily beaten by Gloucestershire.