Dean Boxall: The Power of High Challenge and High Care in Leadership
Dean Boxall, Australian swimming coach and coach at St. Peter’s Western in Brisbane, recently delivered a powerful keynote in Canberra. His approach to leadership combines high challenge with high care, showcasing how balancing ambition with empathy can drive success. Coaching 10 athletes to the Paris 2024 Olympics, Dean’s leadership lessons apply beyond sports to business and organisational settings.
Dean’s leadership is rooted in meeting people where they are. He understands that athletes—and employees—won’t always be at their best. Instead of demanding perfection, he asks for 100% of whatever capacity they have that day. This approach encourages consistent effort and growth, even on difficult days.
He also highlighted the importance of "lead data"—tracking small, consistent efforts rather than only focusing on big results. Using a replica Eiffel Tower and a daily effort scale, Dean motivated his swimmers to stay committed to their Olympic dreams. This method reinforced the idea that small, everyday actions lead to major achievements.
Dean's personalised approach involves seeing each person as a "lock" and finding the right "key" to unlock their potential. He builds strong relationships based on trust and understanding, showing that successful leadership is about both setting high expectations and genuinely caring for people. His model reminds us that success is not just about the end result but about valuing the journey and the consistent effort along the way.