Facility Leaders Program

This program is designed for:

• Operational Coordinators

• Aquatic Supervisors

• Swim School Supervisors and Managers

• Customer Service Supervisors

• Fitness Centre Managers and Supervisors

• Duty Managers

• Team Leaders

• Recreation Coordinators

• Newly appointed Managers

• Emerging and developing leaders responsible for people, programs or facility operations

By the end of the program, participants will be able to:

• Understand and apply contemporary leadership principles within aquatic and recreation environments.

• Identify personal leadership strengths, challenges and development opportunities.

• Communicate effectively with staff, customers and stakeholders.

• Lead teams to achieve operational and organisational objectives.

• Build workplace engagement, accountability and performance.

• Apply emotional intelligence and resilience to leadership situations.

• Influence workplace culture and foster positive team environments.

• Improve decision-making, problem-solving and critical thinking capability.

• Lead operational functions, projects and workplace improvement initiatives.

• Develop a personal leadership plan to support ongoing professional growth.

The program begins with Leading Self, focusing on the foundations of effective leadership. Participants will explore their personal leadership style through the Everything DiSC® Management Profile while examining the role of values, emotional intelligence, resilience and self-awareness in leadership effectiveness. The module challenges participants to critically reflect on their behaviours, strengths and development opportunities as leaders.

The program then progresses to Leading Others, exploring the practical skills required to build high-performing teams and positive workplace cultures. Participants will examine communication, influence, employee engagement, coaching and performance management while developing strategies to improve collaboration, accountability and workplace relationships.

Participants then move into Leading a Function, focusing on the broader responsibilities of facility and departmental leadership. This module examines operational management, organisational performance, workforce leadership, financial awareness, project delivery and continuous improvement. Participants will learn how to align team performance with organisational goals while effectively managing competing priorities and stakeholder expectations.

The program concludes with workplace application and leadership development planning. Participants will identify practical actions they can implement immediately within their workplace and develop a personalised leadership development plan to support their ongoing growth and effectiveness as facility leaders.

Module 1 – Leading Self

This module explores personal leadership effectiveness and self-awareness.

Topics Include

• Everything DiSC® Management Profile Debrief

• Understanding Self as a Leader

• Values-Based Leadership

• Personal Effectiveness

• Senior Leadership Behaviours

• Leadership, Power and Influence

• Personal and Professional Capability

• Emotional Intelligence

• Personal Resilience

• Leadership Development Planning

Module 2 – Leading Others

This module focuses on building and leading effective teams.

Topics Include

• Leading Teams and Group Behaviour

• Communication for Leaders

• Building Rapport and Trust

• Employee Engagement and Alignment

• Coaching and Developing Staff

• Team Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Performance Conversations

• Workplace Culture and Accountability

• Employee Relations

• Leadership in Operational Environments

Module 3 – Leading a Function

This module focuses on managing operations, projects and organisational performance.

Topics Include

• Organisational Performance and Outcomes

• Management Frameworks and Processes

• Critical Thinking and Decision Making

• Operational Leadership

• Workforce Planning and Resource Management

• Project Leadership

• Financial Awareness for Managers

• Stakeholder Management

• Continuous Improvement

• Leading Change and Improvement Initiatives

Duration: 3-Day Face-to-Face Workshop plus 6 Hours Online Learning

Assessment: Workplace activities, leadership reflections, practical exercises, case studies and action planning.

Resources Included: Everything DiSC® Management Profile, participant workbook, leadership toolkit, online learning resources and ongoing access to the Leadership Learning Portal.