Last Thursday 22 August, 60 participants of our Beyond the Pool program gathered online for their second workshop. This session delved into the crucial topic of Emotional Intelligence and Leadership, offering invaluable insights into how self-awareness and empathy can enhance leadership skills. Dr. Melinda Davis, a senior lecturer at Swinburne University with close to three decades of experience in education, led the session.
Dr. Davis emphasised the importance of recognising and understanding our emotions as a foundation for effective leadership. By exploring how emotional intelligence can be harnessed to build strong, cohesive teams, participants gained a deeper understanding of how to lead with empathy and integrity.
After the session, the participants were required to reflect on their own emotional experiences and how these can influence their leadership style and team dynamics.
"I will incorporate these strategies into my daily routine by being more aware of how I am personally feeling before trying to understand others' feelings and emotions. This will create better interactions with the people around me, and hopefully be able to uplift environments such as training and school" one participant said.
The next Beyond the Pool workshop is scheduled for 19 September and will focus on 'Building and Leading Your Team' via an online session. Kirsty West, Swimming Australia’s Campaign Operations Lead (Olympic), will speak to the group about her process of leading the behind scenes of taking the Australian Olympic Swimming Team to Paris 2024.
Read more about the Beyond the Pool program HERE.
