Coach-Facilitator-Leadership ·
By Kathie Knell MBE
Raw. Deep. Transformational. If you’re seeking answers and have the courage to embark on a journey of personal discovery and meaningful change, then let Mission Performance curate a truly immersive experiential programme for you.
Pre-packaged ‘cultural experiences’ or ‘adventure races’ have their rightly deserved place in our frenetic lives. Time is money and they’re instantly gratifying. Our competitive social bubbles often underscore our need to ‘have ‘done’, ‘completed,’ finished’, posted the photos, and ticked yet another box. I’ve done my fair share of these events, the Everest Marathon, the Marathon des Sables; the highest and (allegedly) the hardest marathons in the world; got the T-shirts and the bottom drawer full of medals. Which then begs the question ‘So what?
I have pushed my limits, collapsed at finish lines, felt elated and danced momentarily with The Gods. But at a human level, despite scratching an itch, there is something lacking, a craving for something deeper and more meaningful. This is the point where Mission Performance offers not only challenge but a more authentic experience, in which you are given the time and space to truly consider ‘so what’ and ‘what next’. How will I purposefully shape my life to use my skills and expertise to better achieve what I am really craving for myself, my employees and those that I love.
While cycling from Cairo to Cape Town, I certainly scored highly on my ‘challenge’ and ‘immersion’ ticks. Namibia’s scenery was barren, the roads endless, red, crenelated and sandy, and the heat intense. After the pre-dawn tea, I often didn’t see a soul until I struck camp at sunset. In this wild silent environment, questions surfaced.I had time. To be. To reflect.Yet I found it difficult to process some of these uncomfortable silences.
Coaching in the wild at that point would have given me the chance to translate my feelings and shape ideas into meaningful change. I’ve found the same when living and working in unusual contexts; a Harambee Secondary school in rural Kenya; the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, and within the family-centred beauty of Islamic culture in Brunei. Brittle, Anxious, non-linear, incomprehensible, our experiences of our surroundings cannot be translated by some management-speak describing our world experience. We need a mentor or coach to travel with us and help shape our transformational life-enhancing experience. One which will spring-board to new opportunities.
A Leadership Expedition to Costa Rica combines the challenge of adventure with deep cultural immersion. It’s here that coaching in the wild has a unique place. Cradling a newly blown fire is strangely spiritual, ancestral, comforting. Becoming at home in the complexity of the rainforest by embracing new skills and perspectives give us all a brief insight into our survival roots and developing personal resilience through this process. Arrestingly beautiful. A dense green canopy, dappled sunlight and a hilarious abundance of crawling, climbing, flying creatures; a vivid dash of iridescent blue, the flash of a Toucan’s crimson red tail feathers. This is more than a digital detox.
Daring you to let go, a Leadership Expedition to Costa Rica can be transformational. Coaching in this wild setting, supports you to transition through your ‘stretch zone’. This is growth and personal development; lead by you, for you, offering you the space to question, to set a new path; see things from a refreshingly new perspective. You are worthy of this time.
