We asked our two guest speakers at a recent webinar, Role Models - Now and Future Generations.
Marina Cvetkovic, Leadership adviser and executive coach. Co-CEO and Co-owner of Heimann Cvetkovic & Partners
There is no single formula for good leadership. We are used to hearing that emotional intelligence is a key ingredient, but what is it? For me, it is the ability to adjust your style according to specific people and circumstances. Great leaders don’t hold on to a single style but stay authentic while flexing how they approach and inspire people as the situation dictates.
“Great leaders don’t hold on to a single style but stay authentic while flexing how they approach and inspire people as the situation dictates.” Marina Cvetkovic, Leadership adviser and executive coach.
Katherine Douglas, Rower, professional Olympic athlete, Team GB member.
Helen Glover is my ultimate role model and idol. She is the most successful rower in the British team, having won gold medals at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Yet she has such an ability to put people at their ease. I had the privilege of training with her on her return to the sport after a four-year hiatus. At the time, I didn’t feel worthy.
They say never meet your heroes but I met mine and she was a dream. She taught me so much about how I want to be myself – she was kind and patient with mentoring me. She encouraged me to make time for myself and stressed that it is okay to be vulnerable and make mistakes, often sharing examples where she herself had messed up.
I was also struck by the way she treated other people, particularly the less experienced competitors coming through. It taught me a lot about the sort of athlete and the sort of person I aspire to be.
“They say never meet your heroes but I met mine and she was a dream.” Katherine Douglas, Olympic athlete, Team GB