Exploring the promise of leadership: Te Hāpaitanga alumnae workshop

Building on the success of Te Hāpaitanga, which has supported 60 women coaches since 2020, the alumnae workshop marked an important next step in strengthening leadership pathways for women in high performance sport.

Centred on the Universal Model of Leadership from Leadership Circle, the wānanga introduced a globally recognised, research-backed framework for leadership effectiveness.

Participants explored the “Promise of Leadership” through a mix of reflective exercises, 360-degree feedback, and peer discussions, designed to build awareness of personal leadership styles, strengths and impact.

The workshop also created space to reconnect, with alumnae across cohorts coming together to share experiences and strengthen networks.

Activities focused on developing greater self-awareness, understanding how leadership approaches can shift in response to challenges, and building a shared language for leadership within high performance environments.

Triathlon coach Tess Mattern says getting to participate in a 360 leadership circle provides valuable information for any leadership professional, however it is not the activity itself but how it is presented that has a bigger impact.

“The way Jody and Helene create a warm, safe and inviting environment makes our experience in Te Hāpaitanga workshops exponentially more productive and impactful,” says Tess. “I have yet to experience any other work environment like this, so I am always quick to jump to any opportunity offered to us. I always walk away feeling like I’ve received a massive boost personally and professionally.”

HPSNZ Women in High Performance Sport Lead Helene Wilson says the workshop reinforced the importance of knowing yourself as a leader. “A key learning of this model says we should know ourselves so we know which self to deploy to create outcomes that matter.”

Importantly, the workshop emphasised that there is no single way to lead. Instead, participants were encouraged to explore a range of leadership capabilities, moving beyond default styles to lead more effectively in different contexts.

By weaving together Te Hāpaitanga learnings with the Leadership Circle framework, the workshop has provided a valuable resource for ongoing leadership development, both for individuals and across NSOs

As the high performance women in coaching community continues to grow, initiatives like this alumnae workshop play a vital role in supporting wāhine to lead with confidence, authenticity and impact across the high performance sport system.