Megan Narveson

HONRS 475

Dr. Leah White

September 10, 2023

Leadership Application Supplemental Reflection

Getting out of your comfort zone is difficult for so many people. It is easy to stay within

our safety box of things we know we can do, but it takes courage to push the envelope. Over the

past 5 years I have worked as a swim instructor at Lifetime in Bloomington Minnesota where I

see people of all ages step out of their comfort zone. Pushing your limits is hard enough as it is,

but getting in a pool when you have limited swimming abilities is downright terrifying. As a part

of my job, I am lifeguard and CPR/First Aid certified. I also know how to work the online

platforms to keep track of the progress of each of my swimmers. It is expected that I am friendly

and inviting to all members of the club and know how to answer their questions or direct them to

someone who can. Furthermore, I must know how to appropriately teach all swim levels from

beginner to advanced as well as any age group which ranges from 2 years old to older adults.

When I first started teaching as a swim instructor, I was very out of my comfort zone. I

consider myself to have an introverted personality and while I am good with kids, having to

instruct in front of their parents absolutely terrified me. The Lifetime aquatics center is set up

with chairs on the pool deck where parents sit and watch class, and while that is super fun for the

parents, it is extremely nerve racking for a new instructor. As I progressed in my ability to teach

lessons, I got increasingly comfortable being goofy with the kids, because I learned that the

parents appreciate you connecting with the kids more than trying to impress the adults. My boss

noticed my progress and decided to push me towards a leadership role by having other swim
instructors shadow my classes. She trusted me with the responsibility of watching the new swim

instructors teach a skill, commenting and critiquing them, and giving any advice that may be

helpful. My boss put faith in me to step up and be a leader at Lifetime, which is a position I have

really enjoyed over the past few years.

Lifetime has pushed me out of my introverted comfort zone and into a position that

requires me to interact on a more personal level not only with the swimmers, but also with

advising coworkers and answering questions for parents. By doing this I have learned how to

communicate with different age groups and what works best when speaking with a swimmer

versus their parent. I also learned how to stand up for myself when a parent has questions

regarding the skills taught in my class or asks why I am not pushing their child harder in the

pool. Explaining a child’s progression in swim skills associated with their class level is difficult

for me because I struggle with conversations that have the potential to be confrontational. Being

in this position as a swim instructor has helped me strengthen my communication skills by

adapting to conversations that make me uncomfortable. I’ve also used my ability as a learner to

observe the way others communicate and take note of what works well and what doesn’t.

I will take these skills I have learned from being a swim instructor and use them in my

future career as a coach. After college I hope to be either a strength and conditioning or cross

country and track coach at the collegiate level. A career in coaching requires a strong leadership

philosophy which I have developed through observations of coaches present in my own life. I

will use skills like listening, interpreting, and explaining when I am a coach in the future.

Athletes can have their own ideas about how coaching should be done, and I want them to feel

comfortable sharing their suggestions with me. It is important that they feel heard as they have a

voice on the team and should be able to express their ideas. I must interpret what their suggestion
is and respond properly depending on my own beliefs and opinions. It is important that I know

how to explain my coaching style when I am confident in certain skills and workout programs.

Lifetime has prepared me to do this by allowing me to explain my teaching style when parents

have specific questions on drills and distance of specific workouts. Overall, Lifetime has been a

great stepping stone in applying the skills I need to be a successful future coach.