Author: John Fitzgerald (03-34)

1. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA

2. This p resentation will provide … a framework for leadership development, and , … examples of programs that deliver leadership training to SLSA members.

3. Leadership begins with self-leadership . Self-leadership involves individuals developing understandings relating to self-awareness and their capacity to generate positive relationships around them. Emotional intelligence is complemented by understanding the ‘big picture’ of societal and community context. Leadership requires an understanding of the dynamics, relationships and pressures impacting upon potential followers and the organisation.

4. It does this within a social context that emphasises teamwork, discipline and camaraderie . Surf lifesavers learn to stretch their potential and challenge their boundaries. In the final analysis, leadership is about decision making and decision taking. The surf life saving experience challenges individuals to stretch themselves .

5. Leadership begins with … self-leadership . ‘ Know thyself’ … a prerequisite to the leadership journey. Leadership is recognized as a critical element to the health and well being of SLSA . Leadership provides SLSA with the path into the future .

6. … an understanding of the complexity of the ‘big picture’ … involves building human capital around a vision Leadership of others in a challenging world requires two essential prerequisite s …

7. A bi-focal approach … … development of leadership capacity throughout the membership … supporting current leaders to provid e strategic stewardship . SLSA exists as a collaborative of separate legal entities brought together through a common purpose in what can be called a ‘ loosely coupled organization ’ where each entity ‘ asserts both autonomous distinctiveness and interdependence ’.

8. An integrated club / state / national approach Clubs:  hands on and intuitive.  identification of leadership potential  getting things done with a high level of participation.  nurturing of club presidents States:  connecting club with state leadership.  support operational club needs  support own strategic needs. National:  development and trialling of new practice,  championing of best practice,  facilitation of leadership improvement across states.

9. SLSA Leadership Competences Framework … . maps the complex field of leadership …  emotional intelligence (understanding self and relationships)  management (focus on managing all resources)  leadership (focus on human capital) Emotional Intelligence Leadership Management Personal Lifesaving Leadership Lifesaving Management Self Awareness Organizational Leadership Organizational Management Self Management Cultural Leadership Social Political Leadership Social Awareness Relationship Management

10. SLSA Leadership Programs  SLSA Leadership Development Conference (emerging leaders - 20-30 years)  SLSA Leaders ’ Conference (current leaders - 30+ years)  SLSA Leadership Forum Series (identified champions providing organisational leadership)  SLSA Leadership Scholarship (Sir Adrian Curlewis Scholarship – 21+ years)  SLSA Club Presidents’ Conference (every 4 years)

11. SLSA Leadership Development Conference … emerging leaders - 20-30 years … 30 participants (emerging leaders with leadership potential) … 6 days … program includes self-awareness challenges, relationship development, ‘big picture’ understanding, project management … facilitation by a team comprising peer mentors and members of the SLSA Board of Development (BOD)

13. SLSA Leadership Forum Series … identified champions providing organisational leadership … focuses on issues that are confronting SLSA … 3 days … targets members who are issue champions … 16 participants. … facilitation is provided by members of the BO D … outcomes will inform and impact upon SLSA practice … package innovative practice and communicat e across SLSA

14. SLSA Leadership Scholarship … Sir Adrian Curlewis Scholarship ( 21+ years) … 12 months. … each state selects a Curlewis Scholar (7 scholars) … criteria … demonstrated potential for leadership within SLSA … value of a nominated project to the state … quality and relevance of the personal development goals … p rogram includes … … introductory teleconference to clarify scholarship expectations. … state facilitated meeting to establish the project and state support … two face-to-face 3-day workshops in Sydney … final project report

15. SLSA Club Presidents’ Conference … e very 4 years, … all Club Presidents (305) … 2-day conference. … discuss a range of issues confronting SLSA … consider developments taking SLSA forward. Geelong February 2006

19. Thank You