Mental Health at Work: How Empathy Builds Stronger Teams

What does leading with empathy really look like in the club and hospitality industry?  In this inspiring episode, Michelle speaks with Steve Edgar, General Manager of Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Supporters Club. With more than 20 years’ leadership experience, Steve has transformed workplace culture, guided his club through crises like the 2018 Commonwealth Games and COVID-19 border closures, and spearheaded the Essentially Coolie campaign, which secured $14 million for his community. He also leads Clubs for a Cause, raising awareness and funds for mental health programs. In this episode, Michelle and Steve cover: How empathy transforms leadership in clubs and hospitality Mental health in the workplace – from stigma to support The story behind the Essentially Coolie campaign Steve’s passion project: Clubs for a Cause and “Walking with Mates” Practical ways leaders can build belonging and resilience in their teams  Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome01:05 – Who Steve is: GM, culture-first leadership, crisis wins03:40 – Empathy vs “leave your troubles at the door”08:20 – Belonging: onboarding internationals, safe teams12:10 – Purpose-led clubs: lifesaving mission & community hub16:50 – Loneliness and real connection at work20:05 – Culture hygiene: zero tolerance + wellness committee24:30 – Right to Disconnect → “connect on their terms”29:45 – Origin story: loss, reflection, why mental health matters34:30 – First walk, $42k, holding space, real impact38:50 – “Walking through the storm” year, burnout, formalising the charity42:20 – “You don’t need to be a counsellor to care”45:10 – Mental Health First Aid, listening skills, Healthy Heads workshops49:00 – The tricky call-outs: “I’ve got anxiety” vs performance & fit52:10 – Leadership advice: values, diversity of thought, repair after mistakes54:10 – Essentially Coolie: border chaos, steady leadership framework56:00 – Media momentum → funding relief; Orange Sky volunteering57:30 – How to support Clubs for a Cause; upcoming sessions Next Steps + Resources ✨ Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube → https://www.michellepascoe.com/The-Michelle-Pascoe-Hospitality-Podcast ✨ Join Michelle’s newsletter for leadership strategies and updates → https://www.michellepascoe.com/blog✨ Work with Michelle – explore her training, programs, and workshops for clubs and hospitality leaders → https://www.michellepascoe.com/traininganddevelopmentprograms✨ Support Clubs for a Cause → clubsforacause.com.au Work With Michelle Michelle Pascoe is a speaker, trainer, and consultant helping registered clubs and hospitality leaders build strong teams and thriving workplace cultures. Explore her leadership programs, frontline workshops, and mystery shopping programs to strengthen your team and future-proof your venue. 🌐 Website: michellepascoe.com📲 LinkedIn: Michelle Pascoe