On the final day of Term 3, QAHS students and staff were treated to something a little more lasting than the incoming Spring break: a deep dive into emotional intelligence with Dr Ryan Gould from Griffith University.
Dr Gould isn't new to our community – some of our students had previously encountered him through leadership workshops on motivation and authentic leadership, and they requested more. And who could blame them? With over 15 years of university teaching and a reputation for making complex ideas genuinely interesting, he brought both warmth and authority to our lecture theatre.
His session, aptly titled Emotional Uprising, explored how emotions drive leadership and success - and why understanding them is becoming a kind of superpower in a world increasingly run by algorithms. Students were introduced to the four dimensions of emotional intelligence: perceiving, understanding, using, and managing emotions. Then came the real test - could they read a facial expression accurately, could they convey an emotion clearly, or would surprise be mistaken for shock?
The heart of the message was clear: good leadership requires emotional intelligence - the ability to notice what others are feeling, adapt our responses thoughtfully, show empathy, and manage our own emotions to solve problems rather than inflame them.
Between the laughter, dramatic readings, and lively discussion, there were moments of genuine reflection. After the session, students were asked what idea stuck with them most. Their responses were thoughtful, perceptive, and a little profound:
“Being a good leader means making a commitment to learn and grow."
“Leadership is about lifting people."
“It's important to be self-aware - to think about how we see ourselves as well as how others see us."
“The statistic that we're predicted to have 16 jobs and 3–7 career changes in our lifetime was pretty eye-opening. It kind of scares me and excites me at the same time."
“For Generation Alpha, authenticity is the most important trait in a good leader. When I think about the leaders who inspire me, this is definitely true."
“It's reassuring to know that emotional intelligence can be learnt - it's so valuable in any situation where you're working with people."
“It can be difficult to interpret other people's emotions. If we're unsure, we can always ask gently instead of assuming."
“The concept of emotional labour really stood out. So many people hide their feelings at work, and it made me realise how exhausting that can be."
“I'd love to do more of this kind of learning. I want to work in the medical field, and I think we sometimes focus too much on theory instead of human relationships and emotions."
Dr Gould's mix of humour, insight, and down-to-earth delivery made this a standout session to end the term. If the mark of a good Thrive Session is that it lingers in your thoughts well after the school day is over - this one did.
We're deeply grateful to Dr Ryan Gould for reminding us that, even in a data-driven world, it's still our emotions that do the heavy lifting.
Marnie Chetter
Leadership Coordinator