In this episode, Aldo interviews Cath Bishop, an Olympian and former war diplomat. Cath shares her journey from being a non-sporty child to becoming an Olympic rower, training rigorously and competing in three Olympic Games. She discusses the challenges she faced and the pressure to perform, as well as the importance of defining success beyond medals. Kath also talks about her transition to working as a diplomat for the British Foreign Office, where she focused on conflict issues and rebuilding post-war zones. She reflects on the complexities of diplomacy in conflict situations and the lessons she learned from her experiences. In this conversation, Cath Bishop discusses the importance of support and vulnerability in a team, the need to look after each other, the role of coaching and challenging others, redefining success in education, the value of failure, childhood aspirations, and a book recommendation.
Takeaways
- Success should be defined beyond medals and awards, focusing on personal growth, meaningful contributions, and lasting value.
- The pursuit of excellence should be balanced with rest, recovery, and a broader identity beyond one's profession or achievements.
- The pressure to win and the obsession with medals can lead to feelings of emptiness and a lack of fulfillment.
- In conflict situations, diplomacy is challenging and often limited by the hostile environment, but it is crucial to work towards political solutions and stability.
- True happiness comes from contributing to something bigger than oneself and finding purpose in one's actions. Support and vulnerability are crucial in a team environment.
- Looking after each other is essential for individual and team well-being.
- Coaching and challenging others can lead to personal growth and improved performance.
- Redefining success in education involves focusing on broader measures of achievement.
- Failure is a valuable learning tool and can lead to personal growth and improvement.
- Childhood aspirations can be diverse and may change over time.
- Margaret Heffernan's books offer valuable insights into culture and success.
- Interviewing Olympians who didn't win medals can provide valuable lessons and perspectives.
