Provocative...Powerful...Different...Immediate and Lasting Results...
Way of the Horse: Leadership Mastery Program
Horses have a special ability to provide us with a dramatic view of how our leadership skills and team work measure up. Over time, many of us are socialized to hide feelings and filter reactions in the work place, especially from leaders. A horse will tell you in no uncertain terms how you're leadership style affects them.
Program Overview
The Way of the Horse: Leadership Mastery program consists of four modules, designed to develop the leadership competencies and skills most needed in the new, global world of work.
Module 1: Emotionally Intelligent Leadership*
Module 2: Leading With Trust
Module 3: Discovering Your Authentic Leadership Presence
(coming Spring 2010)
Module 4: The Agile Leader – Dancing with Change and Innovation
(coming Spring 2010)
*required introductory module before enrollment in modules 2 - 4
Each program can be customized for organizational teams as a two-, three-, or four-day session and consists of a variety of activities to accommodate various learning styles:
- Required homework (yes, we said ‘homework’) prior to each session, e.g., self-assessments, assigned reading
- Interactive facilitated sessions, with brief lecture and presentation
- Demonstrations, combined with simulated learning opportunities
- Leadership- and team-building activities with horses
- Individual reflection, peer feedback and facilitator coaching
Interaction with horses is a core activity in this program because they can provide rich learning experiences to help leaders and corporate teams build a greater sense of cohesion, improve communications & work ethic, and gain a deeper experience of relationship, leadership, authenticity, and intention. Experiential Leadership With Horses often reveals a person’s blind spot in his/her leadership and relationship building skills.
- You just can’t fake it with a horse, no matter how hard you try.
- Horses are direct reflections of the people that handle them.
- Horses are very perceptive. They pick up messages that we miss, or are unaware that we are giving.
- Horses have the ability to read our emotions that are below the surface.
- Horses respond to our honesty rather than our actions.
All activities are designed to provide powerful, effective opportunities for participants to get involved, discuss and de-brief to understand how to improve their performance, and transfer their learning into the work place.
No prior horse experience is necessary. All work with horses is done on the ground, except for advanced sessions where it is pre-arraigned. Safety precautions are thoroughly reviewed and implemented.
Who Should Attend
- Anyone in a position who leads other people
- Recently promoted leaders
- High potential employees, particularly those being groomed for leadership positions
- Leaders needing people skill development
Benefits and Results
- Increased communication and decision making skills.
- Increased ability to empower and influence.
- Increased ability to successfully face complex challenges and change initiatives.
- Expanded personal authority and presence as a leader.
- Higher performing and productive teams, with greater potential to improve the bottom line.
Post-Program Coaching and Learning Opportunities
Leadership Coaching - Continue to expand your learning after the Way of the Horse: Leadership Mastery program with follow-up coaching support. Four one-on-one coaching sessions (which may also include sessions with the horses) are a great investment toward helping you:
- Reinforce your abilities to lead in the moment;
- Further define your leadership roadmap - for yourself and your organization.
Group Learning Sessions - Sign-up for free post-program teleconferences or web casts. These optional 60-minute sessions provide the latest best practices and strategies from faculty and guest experts, as well as opportunities to trouble-shoot your key challenges with a coach. There are four sessions that occur approximately once every six weeks.
