#8 Where Are the Women? Liz Quinn on Closing the Female Coaching & Leadership Gap

Less than 10% of elite women's teams are coached by women. The real question is why? In this episode, we sit down with Liz Quinn, a leadership expert, former Navy officer, and co-founder of The W Club to uncover the hidden barriers holding female coaches back. Liz reveals the invaluable leadership lessons she learned in her military career and how they are now helping women in sport and business break through ceilings.From her experience as a player and coach at the elite level, to her work creating a safe and inclusive space for all sports fans, Liz shares insights on authentic leadership, the problem with outdated coaching styles, and why "followership" is just as critical as having a title. Key topics that are discussed include:The Military-to-Sport Pipeline: How Liz's career in the Navy provided her with a unique perspective on leadership, teamwork, and performance under pressure.The W Club: The inspiration behind opening Australia's only women's sports bar and why it's a vital, safe space for everyone who loves women's sport.The Female Coach Gap: A dive into why there are so few female coaches, exploring the lack of opportunity and the societal factors that hinder women's careers.Legacy vs. Inheritance: Liz's powerful reframing of leadership from being about personal legacy to leaving an inheritance for the next generation.Mindset Over Mechanics: Why training for the mental side of the game is more critical than physical skills, especially in high-pressure situations.The "Wife Drought": A discussion on how societal expectations and domestic responsibilities disproportionately affect women's ability to commit to demanding careers like coaching.Key Takeaways:Authenticity is the most powerful leadership skill:  The most effective leaders inspire commitment by being their genuine selves.Culture is a standard, not a rule: A team's culture isn't a top-down rule, but rather the collective behaviors that teammates hold each other accountable to.The female coach gap is a problem of opportunity: The lack of female coaches is not a reflection of their ability, but of a systemic failure to provide them with the same opportunities and development pathways as men.A player's role is not just a geographical spot on the field: but the story of how they help the team succeed, and every role is crucial to the team's purpose.Timestamps:00:00 The female coach gap02:59 Liz's background04:58 The W Club08:50 The power of team sports12:59 Leadership lessons from the military18:59 Why the best player isn't always the best leader26:54 The power of followership31:54 The female coaching gap34:49 The "Wife Drought" theory37:25 One change for the AFLW42:07 The impact of visibility45:19 Women as umpires48:52 Mentoring female coaches50:57 Danger of poor feedback58:56 What Liz would tell her 16-year-old self1:00:52 Liz's hope for the futureLearn more about Liz Quinn's work by following her on Instagram @q_diz and her consultancy, Clutchleadership. Visit The W Club's home for women's sport at @thewclub_melbourne.P3 Recovery Port Melbourne are helping our 4TG community recover smarter and feel their best 💪 Use code 4TG20 for 20% off casual visits. Remember, recovery is a non-negotiable for peak performance and health.Follow the movement on Instagram @4TG_podcast and get involved! If this episode hit home, please share it with a friend who needs to hear it, subscribe, and leave a 5 star review.This episode was proudly prSupport the showABOUT THE HOSTKylie Lynch is the Founder and Host of 4TG (For The Girls), a podcast and platform on a mission to keep more girls and women in sport.A VFLW athlete, Australian representative in Polocrosse, coach, mentor and media/communications professional, Kylie has spent her career at the intersection of sport, media and community impact. Through 4TG, she shares the stories, lessons and experiences of elite athletes, coaches and industry leaders to help girls and women build confidence, navigate challenges and stay involved in sport for longer. Because sport doesn't just build athletes. It builds confidence, resilience, leadership, connection and opportunities that positively impact girls and women both on and off the field.Connect with Kylie:Instagram: @kylie__lynchLinkedIn: Kylie LynchWebsite: www.4tg.com.auEmail: [email protected] THE 4TG COMMUNITY4TG exists to help keep more girls and women in sport.Through powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts and industry leaders, we're building a community where girls and women feel inspired, supported and empowered to stay in the game.Instagram: @4tg_podcastTikTok: ...