Podcast Episode - My Leadership Story

My leadership journey is just beginning but I have always been driven by my want to help another person achieve their best. Helping people through teaching became a big focus for me and I really enjoy sharing the knowledge I have.

I learnt to be independent early as my family’s life revolved around my sporty sister and I needed to entertain myself during the many hours in the car driving to and from her training. This time allowed me to build a creative mindset where I used to make up my own games, stories and songs.

After many years of doctor’s appointments I was diagnosed at the age of 8 with a Neuro Muscular Disorder meaning my muscles are weaker than the average person and I am prone to muscular injuries. It was great to finally receive an answer for all my injuries but it also became a crutch to lean on as I grew older. I used it as an excuse to stop trying new things and blamed my disorder when my life went wrong.

While explaining my disorder to other people my mother would call it a disability but I never felt like I was disabled as I wasn’t in a wheelchair or missing a limb but on the other hand I was neither able bodied or coordinated enough to be classed as normal. To help me develop physically my mother enrolled me in classes and activities for disabled children and while I was always thankful for the opportunity to try new things I look back now and realise this cemented in my thoughts the idea that something was wrong with me although it developed the passion to advocate for the disadvantaged and the underdog.

Moving into my later Primary School and High School years I was bullied, a lot. Over the years I developed a resilience to the taunts which helped me to ignore them and a visit to a Psychologist gave me strategies to help deflect the harsh words although they can still impact me later in life.

Just before my 18^th birthday my family and I moved to Bendigo where I worked in a call centre during the evenings. The environment at this business was very toxic with most of the team leaders sleeping their way to the top and one of my bosses being arrested for stealing from the company. My parents also had a Saddlery Story that ultimately wasn’t the success they hoped for. These experiences opened my eyes to how I did not want to lead and run a business and I spent many years thinking owning your own business was always a financial struggle which didn’t pay off. Years later I now run my own business and I am focusing on expanding this coming Summer.

Meeting my now husband and moving to the even more rural town of Pyramid Hill was a godsend for me and offered me the escape I needed to build on my independence and make my own discoveries. The move forced me to develop my skills of connection and networking and find my place in the small, tight knit rural community.

Experiencing the 2011 floods as well as the ongoing drought in such a small town which relies on farming to survive has shown me the value of community and how we can come together to support each other.

During our years of marriage my husband has taught me to trust in who I am and what I know. Through his strength and security I have been able to develop my own identity and find my unique qualities.

Having my 3 beautiful children has been a whirl wind adventure that I am thankful to have experienced. They have retaught me the value of family but on my terms as well as how being an individual and not fitting in can be an advantage. Another big value my children have taught me is flexibility in all its forms. I love having a passion and business I can fit around my family. I bring flexibility into business and leadership by understanding when even the best laid plans need to be changed.

I quickly realised that my career in the Aquatic industry was never going to be normal and I have always embraced that fact. My leadership skills developed quickly as I opened my Swim School in our local council pool over Summer and more and more parents enrolled their children. My goal became to educate the children as well as their parents about water safety and swimming. That goal for education has now developed into a value I take into all my roles in the Aquatics industry.

Through my 6 year journey in the Aquatics I have been influenced and guided by many lovely individuals. I have been lucky enough to have legends in the sport take the time to listen to my ideas as well as offer their guidance. Some of these people have become keen mentors who I can call on for advice at any time. From their connection I developed the passion to give back to the industry and I take every opportunity I can to help others.

I believe education and learning is a big key in my leadership role and I always look for ways to upskilling myself and my staff in areas which are beneficial to not just my business but our own skill set as well. I find it easy to identify a staff members skill and move to enhance these while also working at developing those skills they may struggle with. I believe this strength comes from being able to self-reflect on my own abilities and identifying them in others while taking the time to recognise their own behaviour patterns and giving them the opportunities to try new roles and activities.

As I grow and mature I enjoy experimenting throughout my life. I find this is a great skill to bring into leadership and my business especially in regional and rural areas where each town can be totally different. Experimenting allows my business to grow organically and helps us all remember there are no failures in life, just outcomes.

These are only snippets of my life stories which have influenced how I want to lead my team in the future. These experiences have shaped me, my business and the way I want to guide others.

I know I am only early into my leadership journey and career but I can see great things coming along my path. With the help of my family and business I look forward to building a future in the Aquatics industry which resembles the passion and commitment I have inside.       

Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information

Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/

Facebook - Aquatic Mentors

Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au

Email - info@regionalswimclinics.com.au

Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics