Have you and your team reached a point where you know that you need to approach the way that you lead and live, differently? Would it be good to intentionally step out of your day-to-day setting, and have the luxury of time for deep introspection, learning, reframing, dealing with challenges or regaining a broad considered perspective?

Near two decades ago, Lutz Otto the founder of Spirited Adventures and Consulting, realized the power of working with business teams in the African bush. Fast forward to today, he and Fatima Newman have developed this psychodynamic leadership retreat.

What is it?

At the core of conscious leadership is a deep understanding of human behaviour and self. This becomes especially important when we are dealing with complex organizational dynamics, challenging conversations, managing anxieties, rapid changes, implementing change processes, improving performance, or facing personal difficulties – all of which are part of the leadership and human experience.

In our professional journeys, we focus on delivering objectives and strategy, but we spend little time understanding who we are, its impact on our leadership, group dynamics, creating systemic changes, and how to harness the myriad of individual motivational drivers that underpin human behaviour - And yet these are fundamental to achieving our fullest potential, finding true sustained meaning, creating hope within others, and ultimately delivering our objectives.

Focusing on depth, this catalytic retreat is designed to bring to the front of mind that which many leaders only discover once they come to experience inevitable professional or personal pain. Built on 9-change triggers, it empowers you to consciously and authentically lead with deliberate calm. Intentionally set on the platform of a wilderness backpacking immersion, this five-day leadership program is unlike any other. Beyond the adventure we will embark on, the process combines:

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• A theoretical introduction to each theme/ topic.

• Sharing personal experiences/ perspectives associated to each topic.

• Facilitated group discussion both within the context of self and leadership.

​We are clear in our position that we aim to catalyze change that lasts beyond the retreat. The blending of the immersive experience, the participant’s intentionality, the facilitators, and the scientific, as well as spiritual, well-being benefits to be gained from time in natural environments, will see you engage your mind, heart, body and spirit at a level that is only possible, on foot and this close to nature.

How will it change me?

Participants who have worked through this program come to experience:

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• A deeper understanding of core human dynamics. This opens the door to better conscious relationships with others, and ourselves.

• Improved psychological well-being, greater stress resilience, and the ability to deal with the world as it is, rather than that which we wish it to be.

• Greater confidence within day-to-day roles, self-acceptance, and self-compassion. Insights into how we build self-worth and why this always trumps self-confidence.

• A better understanding of how our unconscious cognition drives most of our behaviour, and regardless of how good our intentions might be, until we bring greater awareness to this, we are doubly subjected through our lives.

• Greater presence to context and how to effectively navigate life, versus rumination and suppression.

• A deeper understanding of how causality is always at play and that mostly, more presents than is initially presented.

• A shift in leadership effectiveness and organizational performance as a result of the collective and compounding impact of these changes. 

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The retreat outcomes reveal themselves in the conversational process, during the periods of reflection/ silent walking, the subsequent integration of that learned, and the work that each participant commits to undertake in the following months and years.

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What will my days be like?

Breaking away from the constant demands of different pressures, the need to conform to a fixed identity and conversations dealing with the urgent or mundane, we intentionally enter the wilderness environment to create a space for deep thinking, insights, and personal growth that is difficult to find in daily life.

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Each day will combine the experience of moving through raw wilderness with the work which we undertake. To enable reflection, there will be intentional silent times, and there may be moments where we become comfortable with the uncomfortable.

Between sessions, we will move through the bush on foot, filled with the anticipation of encountering the unknown. Specialist wilderness guides will ensure that our movements are not only safe but also filled with lessons about wildlife and bushcraft. Each night will see us establishing camp in a new place and conditions allowing, you will find both wonder and perspective spending at least one of the nights sleeping under the magnificent canopy of the southern stars.

How do we do this?

Our program is designed to facilitate both team and personal transformation. Working off the foundation of a developed model, built on 9-change triggers, based on decades of experience and deep research, our highly experienced team partner with wilderness to deliver this outcome focused immersive processes. We will combine psychology, mindfulness, coaching, change, systems thinking [nothing happens in isolation], well-being and leadership principles to deliver the program. The many benefits of doing this work in nature have been widely studied and our business case, is rooted in validated and cited research.

​Who facilitates?

Highly experienced executive coaches, psychologists and specialist wilderness guides facilitate the experience. Much of the scope of work is supported through our sister company Honeyguide Consulting. 

Where?

We purposely work in carefully chosen safari areas. Depending on the group type and it's objectives, we either use our backpacking platform or operate from a mobile tented camp. 

How do I sign up?

It couldn’t be simpler. Contact us by clicking here and lets start a conversation. We know you will be so glad you did.