Member Area Resources - Research - Affective Abilities
National Affective Abilities Survey Preliminary Report Jan 2020

Introduction

Outdoor leaders’ capabilities to draw on, apply and embody Affective Abilities are at the heart of meaningful outdoor experiences. Affective Abilities are defined as the interpersonal and intrapersonal abilities required to influence the development of positive relationships (Baker & O’Brien, 2019). While outdoor leaders draw on a collection of skills, knowledge and abilities, Affective Abilities appear to be essential, require sophisticated cognitive processing and have effects on employees’ wellbeing. This report will summarise the results from a national survey (n=393) about the Affective Abilities that Australian outdoor leaders see as necessary and most useful. This report concludes by discussing the value of the emotion work conducted by outdoor leaders and how managers might engage and support outdoor leaders better.