Coates clings to power
AOC report paints poor picture of leadership
AUSTRALIAN Olympic Committee president John Coates says he is not to blame for a dysfunctional culture tarred by fear, favouritism and hostility in the organisation.
Coates says he will not quit following a damning independent review of the AOC which detailed poor workplace culture.
“Why should I resign?” he said in Sydney yesterday. “There has been no confirmation of bullying.
“There has been some criti- cism of senior leaders — I’m the president, I’m not the senior leader being criticised.
“There has been no treatment of the staff by me that is objectionable.”
The review, released yesterday, found widespread disillusionment of staff with their treatment from AOC leaders.
Staffers told of senior leaders undermining each other and being openly hostile; of widespread concerns about favouritism; a lack of transparency in decision-making; and poor communication.
Many staff also held a view some people had stayed in the organisation too long, which was a key plank in the campaign to win the AOC presidency by Olympian Danni Roche, who unsuccessfully challenged Coates for the role last May.
Coates welcomed the review by The Ethics Centre, which was commissioned following bullying claims that surfaced during the presidency campaign.
“It’s time for us to reassess whether we are fit for purpose,” he said.
The review found the AOC was “out of step with both their ideals and the minimum expectations for a modern organisation”.
“The principal cause of disillusionment is the way the organisation’s leadership treats staff and external stakeholders,” the findings said.
“All stakeholder groups were able to provide examples of senior AOC officials acting poorly,” adding staffers described “deceitful”, “twofaced” “egotistic” and “belligerent” behaviour.
“A number of staff described the AOC as ‘the most dysfunctional’ organisation they have worked for. Staff described a ‘ command and control’ structure that was akin to that of a conservative family business.”
The review said the AOC “needs to answer the question of how it can play a leadership role as an organisation in the Olympic family while progressing the interests and ambitions of Australia”.
Coates said the AOC was committed to acting on the 17 recommendations, including a review of its governance model. It would also develop a cultural plan and conduct a review into internal processes to promote greater transparency.