A recent groundbreaking study (National Ecosystems Report) published in June 2011 has provided a comprehensive overview of the value of the UK’s natural environment. The study looks at a new way of estimating our natural wealth and illustrates how we have undervalued our natural ecosystems. The study also emphasises the role that landscape plays in our general wellbeing and sense of place.
A recent DEFRA press release focuses on the economic value of protecting and cherishing our natural heritage.While in the past people may have thought that caring for the environment meant extra financial burdens, the UK NEA shows that there are real economic reasons for looking after nature. The NEA also shows that the benefits we get to our health, well being and from the enjoyment of nature have not always been fully appreciated or valued.
As an organisation based in the western edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, Call of the Wild has always believed in the potential of using this majestic landscape as a vehicle for the development of leadership and management skills. By attracting business delegates from all across the UK, it not only brings economic benefits to the region, but also spreads the message that South Wales is a vibrant place to work and learn.
Over the past 12 years we have evaluated the effect of this landscape on the learning of the clients we bring into the area. Almost universally the evidence has been that the most beneficial aspect of the experience was the environment. We believe the landscape creates a place and a space for “deep reflection’, in creating a powerful and sustainable learning experience.
Call of the Wild in collaboration with the Professional Development Centre, has further developed this “green classroom” approach and combined it with a research-led theoretical structure to create an ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) programme for a global engineering company. This is delivered within the Western edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park and will bring over 200 delegates from across the UK into the area.
This programme has resulted in an evolving set of crafted interventions which places the delegate at the heart of his or her learning.
The area offers a diverse and rich source of natural experiences and metaphors, which the delegates are encouraged to contextualise within their personal experience of leadership.
Some of the interventions we are using and developing include:
- A Leadership Walk, a facilitated walk encouraging the delegates to reinvigorate their relationship with the environment by really taking notice of what’s around them and then applying this to their workplace.
- A reflective exercise in a deep mine offering a new way of placing learning and meaning into a work environment.
- A guided run of exercises based around the theme of water making reference to both explicit and implicit metaphors such as reflections, sustainability and ecosystems
The real point is that the imagery and metaphor resulting from immersion in this inspirational landscape begins to create new ways of thinking and looking at the issues surrounding Leadership. This new leaning is therefore more likely to be taken back into the workplace and applied.
The ILM structure also provides a rigorous framework on which to base this environmental approach to development, adding a layer of theory to the more esoteric aspects of this approach.
We believe that there is huge potential to utilise this landscape in a sympathetic and sensitive manner, adding real economic value to the area by capitalising on the proven benefits of this approach.
For more information visit the Call of the Wild leadership website
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