WHAT is leadership?  There are so many different definitions.  How does someone decide which is the correct one?  Who are the people that should be leaders in exercise physiology and why?  What kind of goals, traits, morals, and education should they have? These are very interesting questions that need answers.  Exercise Physiologist, in particular, should ask these questions.  Figuring out what kind of people we want to have the authority of leadership in exercise physiology is very important.  They are the ones who will make our dreams come true. 

But, first, what is the right definition of a leader of exercise physiology?  It is critical that it is what exercise physiologists need.  If they agree to the same definition, it should help unit the field.  It should also make the collective work of all exercise physiologists stronger and more visible.  So, what is a good definition of leadership?  Without question, there are a lot of different definitions with each having its own good points.  Some common words associated with being a leader are: 

• Motivational
• Inspirational
• Helpful
• Leads by example
• Selflessness 
• Someone who makes a difference 

Leadership creates and/or facilitates a vision for what must be done, why it is important, and how it can be accomplished.  It is someone who understands current political and organizational conditions, opportunities, and challenges.  Leadership requires therefore having the right attitude along with the right vision. 

Aside from the required qualities, there are important traits that leaders should possess.  For example, it is important that leaders have passion for their work.  Being intelligence is always helpful along with the ability to think straight.  Communication skills are  important.   Having a high level of energy helps, too.  Being comfortable with the work, having strong family lives, and doing the right things for the right reasons are important traits of a leader. 

What kind of education should leaders have?  It makes sense that leaders are educated with one of more academic degrees.  It is important that undergraduate prepared exercise physiologists learn to lead.  They will be most noticeable in the public sector.  Others with either the master’s degree or the doctorate should be prepared to lead, too.  They are likely to be directors and managers as well as researchers and college teachers.  Exercise physiology, as an emerging healthcare profession, needs leadership at all levels of work within the field and the public sector. 

It is probably safe to conclude that many exercise physiologists are too comfortable with colleagues who have an interesting in leading.  This is both good and bad.  It is good for those in the field who are not interested in being a leader.  It may not be all that good if the leader is not acting in the best interest of exercise physiology.  This is also a good reason that more students should be involved in leadership courses at the undergraduate level.  Having strong leadership in exercise physiology is required for continued advancement and professional development. 

Since professionalism and credibility problems are not going to just disappear, what are the best ways to insure the movement of exercise physiology in the right path?  Perhaps, again, it comes down to what students learn in school.  In other words, a solid educational course plus excellent interaction between the students and the professors may help everyone involved to think more clearly and objectively. 

In particular, what students learn in school should reflect on what kind of person they will be in the work force.  If they are taught about leadership and professionalism, hopefully, then, they will have what it takes to be a leader.  It seems, therefore, with a strong educational background students will know how to think critically about different ideas, beliefs, and/or agendas that stand to influence the future of exercise physiology. 

If every exercise physiologist belonged to the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP), exercise physiology would be a much stronger profession.  More members could put their ideas before committees and others in the expectation of benefiting the membership as well as the practice of exercise physiology.  The public would come to recognize the role of the exercise physiologist in healthcare.  This is why exercise physiologists need ASEP as the professional organization of exercise physiologists. ASEP is about:

• Helping exercise physiologists and about helping the exercise physiology profession.
• Respect and dignity, and about educating and treating exercise physiologist as a professional.
• Listening to the personal and professional concerns of exercise physiologists, especially those who are crying for expression.
• Building an organization with members helping each other.
• Creating a shared vision and sense of purpose.
• Preparing students and professional for the future.
• Providing each ASEP member the opportunity and the responsibility for shared-help in the professionalization of exercise physiology.

The public needs trustworthy exercise physiologists.  Those who call themselves exercise physiologists need to be board certified or, at the very least, they need to earn an academic degree in exercise physiology.  The public doesn’t need the so-called exercise physiologists, that is, those who have a degree in kinesiology or exercise science who believe they are exercise physiologists.  It just doesn’t make sense any longer.  It must stop if the public is going to get a better picture of exercise physiology. 

The question is, “How do exercise physiologists make the necessary changes?”  It is not going to be easy, but it is possible.  For example, the ASEP leaders need to be more advertised.  One way to advertise more is to ask the qualified leaders who live in different states to spread the word about the ASEP organization.  They could help reduce resistance to change by: 

• Providing an explanation of the purpose of why the organization is important to the professional development of exercise physiologists. 
• Explaining the personal and professional benefits of an exercise physiology organization.
• Acknowledging the personal and professional concerns of exercise physiologist.
• Analyzing shared objectives and the willingness to help each other.

Leadership is not talked about much in exercise physiology.  Aside from the ASEP electronic journal [2], the Professionalization of Exercise Physiologyonline, there isn’t much published in the print copy literature dealing with exercise physiology leadership.  There are no conferences or workshops on leadership in exercise physiology.  It would be a good idea to talk with co-workers about leadership.  It would also be good to find out what exercise physiologists care about.  The need for understanding what exercise physiologists expect from the profession is great.  Leadership is the answer. 
 

References
1. Boone, T. (2001).  Professional Development of Exercise Physiology.
Lewiston, NY: The Edwin Mellen Press, Ltd.
2. American Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2005). Professionalization of Exercise Physiologyonline. [Online]. http://www.css.edu/users/tboone2/Professionalization.html