Womens Rugby World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi MBE spoke to participants of our Aurora programme in London last week. The London 1 cohort was treated to Maggie’s experiences of team sport leadership and the application of such techniques in a higher education setting.
If someone puts pressure on you, they think that you are brilliant and they are confident that you can do it. So embrace it. Powerful words from @MaggieAlphonsi #IAmAurora @Aurora.AdvanceHe pic.twitter.com/ymSBBbqEsp
— Dr Iris Hofmann (@IrisHofmann83) February 19, 2020
Just what I needed today - inspiring leadership talk from @MaggieAlphonsi - I feel ready to take on the world! Thanks so much Maggie. #IAmAurora pic.twitter.com/mMObz2IT8l
— Dr Jessica Lutkin (@JessicaLutkin) February 19, 2020
She shared her ‘top tips’ for leadership, including being proactive, celebrating success, stretching yourself and having a presence in your role. She also touched on imposter syndrome and being aware of what you’re really good at.
The Aurora programme is Advance HE’s leadership development initiative for women and those who identify as such, and encourages leadership experts and higher education institutions to come together to address the under-representation of women in leadership roles across the sector.
Delegates at the event were inspired and impressed by Maggie’s keynote speech with many describing it as ‘captivating’, ‘influential’ and one remarked she felt ‘ready to take on the world’.
After the speech Maggie said:
“I had a fantastic day and met some incredible inspirational women who are all challenging the status quo. Everyone was so engaged and I felt very welcomed. There was so much energy in the room and that allowed me to deliver an insightful session.
“The Aurora programme is brilliant. It gives women the tools and resources to be the leader they want to be and allows delegates to network and share their experiences.”
Fantastic talk by Maggie Alphonsi on creating a winning mindset - so inspirational and informative #IAmAurora pic.twitter.com/bu8bEiuduC
— Dr Nanna (@nannakaalund) February 19, 2020
Amazing speech at #IAmAurora Advanced Leadership Skills by @MaggieAlphonsi - setting goals and taking action @AdvanceHE pic.twitter.com/LSceZQvXv2
— Helen Francis (@HelenFrancisCam) February 19, 2020
Maggie won 74 caps for England during her career, scoring 28 tries and was a key part of the team which won England’s first Womens Rugby World Cup and a record-breaking seven consecutive Six Nations titles. She now works with ITV Sport, Sky Sports and the BBC on their rugby coverage and is a columnist for The Telegraph.
Aurora seeks to support women and their institutions to fulfil their leadership potential through thought provoking activities, collaborative problem solving activities and motivating stories supported by inspirational women role models. For more information and to book your place click here. #IAmAurora