UK Sport’s final leadership workshop aimed at developing Performance Directors/Managers, Chief Executive Officers and Chairs concluded yesterday.
The workshop covered the components of effective balanced leadership – more specifically the maintenance, health and critical decisions that leaders in sport must make in order to make them as effective within their roles as possible.
The topic of personal sustainability was discussed with many considering the demands and intensity of their current roles leading into 2012 and the consequences of this to them personally and their sport beyond the Games.
Zara Hyde Peters, CEO of British Triathlon, said: "I have really enjoyed the opportunity to share this leadership workshop experience with other CEOs, and some PDs and Chairs. A lot of the learning has been through peer review, and I particularly valued the feedback of my colleagues at the inspirational communications session."
Sam Whale, Coaching Team Co-ordinator at UK Sport, said: ‘These critical leadership roles demand serious commitment, long hours and self sacrifice to ensure success at the highest level. Sport is emotional and for many, motivation is driven by the individual’s passion for sport and the wider sporting landscape. There is no doubting that this passion and enthusiasm, if channelled appropriately, becomes infectious.
“However, when leaders are unable to recognise the boundaries of their own limits the bigger picture and ultimate vision of success can falter. Leaders set the tone within sports for others to follow and if they are constantly operating beyond capacity, losing sight of their own wellbeing, then both short and long term success will undoubtedly be compromised. These leaders, their Sport and all involved within the high performance system have a responsibility to ensure everyone is fit for purpose come 2012 and can continue in role thereafter.”
The Leadership development initiative which began in November 2010 was set up in response to a common theme emerging from Mission 2012. The emphasis throughout has been exploration and practicality focussing on the respective challenges each leader faces and how these can be overcome.
Previous workshops led by Chris Grant, Anne Storey, Glenn Whitney and Bridget Jolliffe have covered Daring Dialogue, Inspirational Communication and Performance Management.
UK Sport will now complete a review of the first stage of this initiative and plan further ongoing support to those in Performance leadership positions.