Top o’ the Mornin’ to Ya!
TLDR: Discover how experiential leadership transforms both yourself and those you lead. From nature adventures with children to corporate team building on ropes courses, I explore why direct experience creates more powerful learning and leadership development than instruction alone. Learn practical ways to provide transformative experiences for those you lead.
What?
I was struck by the beauty of snow-covered trees this morning during a walk with my daughter. She was so excited, wanting to paint the scenes and take pictures. It reminded me of our family’s adventure cycle – regularly planning challenging outdoor activities with our kids.
Years ago, I worked at a summer camp where I ran a ropes course. Corporate leaders would bring their teams there for leadership development. I’ve also been involved with an event called Dynamic Life that creates breakthrough experiences through ropes courses and other challenging activities.
Why?
These experiences aren’t just enjoyable – they’re foundational to building leadership. When I take my kids on adventures and challenges, I’m not just entertaining them; I’m developing their leadership abilities. Those corporate leaders who brought teams to the ropes course understood that experiential learning creates breakthroughs that classroom instruction cannot.
Lesson
Experience is a better teacher than any university. While academic learning has value, it’s limited because it’s passing on someone else’s experience filtered through their perspective. Some things can only be truly understood through direct experience.
As leaders, we need breakthroughs, and followers will follow leaders who provide experiences that create opportunities for personal breakthrough. When we create situations where those who follow us can experience growth directly, we multiply our leadership impact.
Apply
Give yourself opportunities to experience new challenges that will improve your leadership. More importantly, set up situations where those who follow you can experience and grow in their own leadership. Don’t just instruct them – create experiences that transform them.
What was one of the greatest experiences that has shaped your leadership? Share in the comments below how an experience transformed who you are as a leader at work, in your business, at home with your family, or in your community.
You be blessed.
Why Experience Creates Better Leaders: Nature, Adventure, and Breakthroughs
