THRIVING IN THE WILD

Leadership is often considered a ‘soft skill’ but according Unmind’s recent Closing the Leadership Skills Gap report, nearly 40% of employees do not believe their manager has sufficient training or the skills to perform their role. Industry experts have warned of “profound” business implications if leaders are not adequately trained. With these findings, maybe it’s time to look towards alternative methods of leadership development.

An increasingly popular avenue for leadership development is outdoor survival-based team building activities. Typically based on challenged based scenarios, these events are designed to encourage participants to push past their comfort zones.

PAUL GARDINER, BGSA's MANAGING DIRECTOR

Paul Gardiner, Managing Director at Bear Grylls Survival Academy believes that these experiential events can provide a unique approach to developing not only just our current leaders, but the leaders of tomorrow as well.

It pushes them out of their comfort zone
It builds their resilience
It fosters collaboration and understanding of team dynamics

There’s no doubt that business leaders have to deal with a variety of different issues, whether it’s being able to delegate work efficiently, or keeping morale high for the employees that look up to them. But it can become difficult to develop, especially when they are sat behind their desk within the same four walls.

Outdoor survival activities force leaders to confront unfamiliar and often uncomfortable situations, which can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth. When faced with the unpredictability of the task at hand, leaders must rely on their instincts, make quick decisions, and work collaboratively under pressure. This kind of environment strips away the usual comforts and routines, meaning they must think on their feet and adapt swiftly to changing circumstances, a skill that is easily transferable to the workplace.

The beauty of extreme outdoor activities is the transferable skills that can be taken into real-world scenarios. They provide a different source of communication, innovation and creativity to normal team building activities, preparing leaders to become more adaptable and resilient. In an unpredictable business landscape, leaders must be able to adapt to anything that may come their way, and lead with the utmost confidence. By taking a more modern approach to leadership principles, businesses can ensure their leaders not only survive but thrive.

Survival activities require participants to work closely with one another, often in high stress situations where effective communication and teamwork are a non-negotiable. Leaders must quickly learn to understand and adapt to different team dynamics and utilise each member’s strengths to achieve their goal.

This experience helps leaders develop a deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives and the importance of collaboration. Working through these challenging scenarios together can go a long way in building trust and camaraderie, translating into stronger teams back at the office. Having the ability to collaborate and manage team dynamics is such a vital part of being a modern leader, especially if you want to drive success within an organisation.

EXTREME LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Leadership is one of the key skills taught at the Bear Grylls Survival Academy. With activities ranging from bushcraft survival scenarios to an indoor summit of Mount Everest, it provides a more unique and bespoke approach to leadership development. The ultimate aim is to encourage new leadership styles and improve confidence, whether that’s for an experienced CEO or a junior member of the team.