What can elite sport teach us about leadership in the workplace?

In this episode of the Cognitio Podcast, Tim Boyle sits down with Tomek Szklarski, Head Coach of the Australian National Handball Team, to explore how high-performance sporting environments develop resilient leaders, build trust under pressure, and create cultures where teams thrive.

Drawing on his experience as both a professional athlete and national coach, Tomek shares practical lessons from elite team sport that translate directly into leadership, management and team development within professional environments.

Together, Tim and Tomek discuss:

• Why resilience matters more than talent in sustained high-performance environments
• The transition from peer leadership to formal leadership
• How trust is built, broken and rebuilt under pressure
• Why great leaders create capability rather than dependency
• The role of vulnerability and self-awareness in leadership
• Practical strategies for developing resilience in yourself and others

Whether you lead a team, manage stakeholders, or are looking to strengthen your own professional resilience, this episode offers valuable insights into what it takes to lead when the pressure is on.

Tomek Szklarski is Head Coach of the Australian National Handball Team and a former professional European handball player. He has represented Sydney University, New South Wales and Australia at elite levels of competition, and has played a key role in developing handball talent nationally. Tomek brings a unique perspective on leadership shaped by years of experience as both a player and coach in high-performance sporting environments.

About the Guest