As an endurance athlete, fLorence has leveraged her training background, developing a leadership style oriented around achieving her goals through sustainable and realistic progress. As the founder and former President of BLiSS Science and Innovation Inc., a non-profit organisation that facilitated cross-boundary collaborations to tackle real-world challenges in science and innovation, she applied these principles to guide her leadership approach and support her volunteers.
After transitioning from her work at BLiSS, fLorence founded a new business under her own name, “Dr. fLorence Cotel,” where she focuses on mental health, neuroscience, and wellbeing. It was within this new business that she developed a concept called ‘fulfilling endurance,’ which promotes a positive approach to burnout prevention. “Life is like an endurance race. If you chase what matters to you and learn how to endure, you won’t burn out,” she says.
The concept of keeping a mindful pursuit of long-term success was put to the test when she was hit by a car just days before the Ultra Trail Kosciuszko, a 107km ultramarathon race through the mountainous landscapes of Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales, Australia. While she was cleared by doctors to run the race, it soon became clear to her that she would have to adapt her racing strategy.
“The following day, my whole body was sore and carrying anything with my left arm for more than a few minutes was challenging. Not to be deterred, fLorence drew upon her personal values of respecting her body and prioritising her health, reminding herself of the importance of maintaining focus for the long-term outlook of a goal when faced with a setback. “I accepted the situation, remembering that my long-term goal was to run the 171km Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, and many other races for years to come.”
Not only did she finish the race, but she took it as an opportunity to motivate and lead other runners enroute; “Each time I met a new runner, I asked how they were feeling, offered help, and cheered them on. As I led a group of runners into the night and cold rain, they started commenting on my positive attitude and even asked for inspirational talks to keep them motivated.”
FLorence Cotel after completing her ultra marthon despite suffering car accident injuries a few days previously
By sharing fLorence’s story, we want to encourage leaders around the world to think to think beyond traditional models of leadership and to embrace a mindset grounded in resilience, adaptability, and collaboration. Her ability to navigate complex challenges, both in her personal pursuits and professional endeavours, offers valuable lessons for anyone striving to make a meaningful impact. Her commitment to uplifting others, fostering diverse collaborations, and aligning actions with core values demonstrates the power of leadership that prioritises both individual and collective growth. Homeward Bound is proud to support leaders like fLorence who are demonstrating transformative leadership in action.