From its conception, the ethos of Edinburgh Ocean Leaders (EOL) has been to support leaders in situ, wherever they may live or work around the globe. For our first Ocean Leader cohort, COVID-19 has made this mission even more timely, as the pandemic created new and complex challenges within their professional roles.
Although the face-to-face meetings and the field-based aspect of the EOL programme had to be postponed, we adapted by enhancing planned online activities to provide maximum support to the leaders through this period of exceptional change. Since the programme began in March 2020, these activities have included: bespoke individual and group leadership coaching, monthly meetings between the leaders, EOL directors and the International Advisory Panel discussing topical themes, leadership and mentoring practices; as well as digital participation in ocean events such as the first digital Monaco Blue Initiative. While the cohort has not yet met in person, they have formed a strong and supportive network exchanging ideas and new insights on ambitions, experiences and challenges within their professional roles.
As the 2020 leaders enter the second half of the year-long programme, we asked them to reflect on their participation in Edinburgh Ocean Leaders so far. Learn what they had to say with the release of our six Leaders’ Stories interviews, created by EOL Media Lead, James Nikitine.
The Edinburgh Ocean Leaders programme is generously supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and by the Castansa Trust, whose support enabled the production of these videos.