Outward Bound Lessons to Live a Life of Leadership
NEW BOOK GIVEAWAY!
20 copies available!
Leave a comment on this guest post by Mark Michaux Brown to become eligible for one of 20 complimentary copies of his book, “Outward Bound Lessons To Live A Life of Leadership.” (Winners chosen randomly.)
(Deadline for eligibility is 10/21/2019. International winners will receive electronic versions.)
At the end of August, the Business Roundtable released a new “statement on the purpose of a corporation.” For the first time CEOs are declaring that corporations need to focus on more than creating profit for shareholders. So, how do you do that?
#1. Align a higher purpose with the skill set of the company.
This enables employees to easily get on board. The Kohler Company, which manufacturers tubs and sinks, is tackling clean water issues internationally. This alignment allowed team members to quickly find a cause for their talents, designing a water filtration system and deploying it across the globe.
#2. Pave the way for others to follow.
For instance, 2019 Heinz Award recipient Rue Mapp took her passion for the outdoors into a national nonprofit, Outdoor Afro, which has offered nationwide programs for more than 35,000 participants.
#3. Follow the path as it unfolds.
Michael Welp, co-founder of White Men As Full Diversity Partners, took a seminal experience leading Outward Bound programs in Lesotho and turned it into a consulting company that works with leaders worldwide.
#4. Find teachable moments.
Luis Benitez, vice president of government affairs and global impact for VF Corporation and veteran of several Everest expeditions, puts it this way: “…your biggest job is to pull out all of the strengths and lessons for others. Be the conductor of that orchestra…”
The above principles form a solid foundation from which to build a culture that honors the employees and strives for higher ideals. This, in turn, creates engaged employees and resilient businesses able to sustain success through the rapid change of our times.
What greater purpose aligns with your or your company’s core skills?
What passions can you bring forward in service of others?
What discoveries ignite you, that you can follow?
What teachable moments have surfaced in your life?
Mark Michaux Brown is the author of Outward Bound Lessons To Live A Life of Leadership. He is a master coach and facilitator who helps guide leaders through change.
Enjoyed today’s post!
I love the title …. It’s not about leadership… it’s about being a leader in life. So it’s not about separating work and life … it’s about who you are as a person with certain values and qualities.
I love the title of the book as it implies that leadership is a way of living. There is no divide between who you are at work and outside of work…it is about certain values, characteristics and behaviours.
I would love to win this book. The orchestra analogy really resonated with me. I am going to use that!
For me, “Teachable Moments” aligns perfectly to living a life of leadership. Sometimes we are unaware of the profound impact our words and actions can have on others, especially interns, young employees and mentees. Words matter, deeds matter, caring matters the most. Stop a moment to appreciate whether others around you see the same potential and possibilities that you might see in a moment of crisis or triumph. Then take 1 more moment to ask them to share their thoughts and watch them grow.
I recently had an excellent object lesson in #2, “Pave the Way for Others to Follow”. I was speaking with one of our upper level managers who is retiring within the year. She said that her end-goal was to leave us all so well-trained that we would be just fine without her. That was the legacy that she said she wanted to leave here.
Great article! Paving the way for others behind us and coaching/mentorship is such an important part of our role as leaders of others. Thanks for great insight!
Spanning the divide of Work/LIfe Balance can be easily. Making work and life all about teachable moments helps us all engage and improve every day! Love it.
I’m a teacher, so I relate to the “teachable moment” concept.
Leaders need to always be on the lookout for those teachable moments and use them in the most productive way. The best insights and breakthroughs occur for the teacher and learner in those special moments.
I participated in one Outward Bound training event and it was a unique learning experience that included teachable moments that I still remember today.
As an educator, helping teachers and students find a higher purpose really benefits all involved!
Succinct and helpful. Thank you. Looking forward to reading the book.
I would love to win a copy of the book
I believe the two key words written here are purpose and passion. They drive everything good.
Really great info and advice! Thank you!
Very insightful! I love the teachable moments and use them daily for my growing team. We are struggling with culture and look forward to reading this book to gain ideas on how to bring them together.
I look forward to learning from this book as I do from all these posts. Thank you!
I love the concept of making the company more than a ledger book, or in our case as a non-profit, more than a place where we pass State audits. As a one-time participant in an actual Outward Bound Wilderness experience, I learned from the best. The two women who led the group Canyon Backpacking in Utah found ways to size us all up quickly and called on everyone to use some talent for leadership throughout the course of the trip. Once they asked the group at the end of a long, tough day, if we wanted to take another hour or so to climb up a pretty challenging section of canyon to see some hieroglyphs and make camp there. Most said they were ready to settle in for the night at the lower level. Then they asked me, the least experienced on the trip if I wanted to go to the higher level, and I said I’d go but I’d need help. Everyone agreed and we went up and enjoyed the new camp setting. They knew the Team had bonded and would all help the other to succeed. P.S. That night it poured and while it would be an exaggeration to say we would have been swept away if we had stayed at the lower elevation — it is true that we would have been up all night keeping everything (and ourselves) from being covered by inches of standing water where our camp would have been.
Outward Bound was one of the most influential experiences in my life and it helped me form a collaborative leadership style. Instead of the scheming and undermining that transfixed the nation when reality TV put people in wilderness situations, Outward Bound encouraged us to build teams, discover and use our strengths, shore up each other’s weaknesses, and achieve goals together. This is by far a healthier, more successful, and resilient approach to leadership.
These all require that we be in the moment, always! Otherwise we will miss the opportunities. Good article.
Absolutely the right direction for all businesses but my question is how well are they going to translate the words into sustainable action. This is going to be a long, tough, transformation.
Sometimes, our students are required to go back to school to complete a degree. Helping them find the why behind what they are learning and doing is essential. I love the quote about helping others find their strengths and sharing hard-earned lessons with others.
Great points highlighting how a company’s sustainability and success are directly tied to its stewardship and service to others. Successful companies understand that the value of a company is not just on its financial records or price tags, but also in its ability to make the most of the resources available to provide service to those it serves. Companies give back to the communities they serve both financially and through service (employees, etc.) because without them we couldn’t exist. We must be servant leaders to all.
Great things to be reminded of…so thankful that I do work for a company that makes its mission the center of everything, allowing employees to feel meaningful purpose every day!
Love this reminder that we need to leave our path open for those greater teachable moments not only what we can teach others but what we can learn.
We believe in the Outward Bound for Veterans as well. It is an awesome way to make them feel like they make a difference.
Living a life of leadership should be everyone’s goal. Trying to be a leader only in business and not in life never works.
Today’s workforce wants more than just a job, they want to connect and have meaning in what they are doing. I love this concept of creating a culture of giving back and engaging employees on a deeper level. Great stuff!
Great information as always! Thank you!
I have never heard of “Outward Bound” training until this article. A quick Google Search makes me want to learn even more! Everyone is a leader, whether formally or informally so I am always looking for ways to expand my knowledge so I can be the best version of me; for myself and for those I lead at home and at work. I love “teachable” moments and have to admit this is an area I need to strengthen.
Looking forward to the book! would love a copy!
Great article and it underlines the corporate responsibility that must be taken on in today’s world. I work for a company with solid core values and with commitment to philanthropy. There is a downside to this stance on social issues. Many companies are aligning with controversial areas which is clearly a profit play rather than a values proposition. I don’t mean to stir controversy, but this is an area that corporations need to tread lightly. The examples given are perfect examples of great causes to engage in, that bring solid value to people in need, and are not controversial in nature.
That being said, engaging deeper with communities will only serve to help those see that a company is more than a brand or logo. It is all of our responsibilities as leaders to step into those roles and engage fully.
Enjoyed today’s post. Practical and useful.
This sounds like a great book! I would love to add it to my growing library on leadership!
Enjoy hearing from others that really focus on bringing your whole self to leadership. Too many times organizations try to “bucket” leadership such as Safety Leadership, Management, etc. Leadership arises everywhere and from anyone.
Leadership isn’t a business thing, it’s a life thing. And it’s only in that context that we can begin to understand the importance of leadership in business. Leadership is life and Outward Bound is an outstanding model of this.
The biggest failure in leadership is not preparing and positioning your staff to be successful. In building a culture of honoring employees you must also give them the tools, resources and necessary time to become successful. The reward in doing this is to have them offer their best, which can be powerful.
life itself is a teacher for those who would like to be its student and who live by learning and growing as a life purpose, then you are a leader for those around you, you care, share and inspire…thanks for sharing…
Great advice!! I’ve always found that that when your purpose and work align, nothing is impossible.
I enjoyed your post here. I like points 1 and 4. Show shareholders other ways to become involved, and pick up on the teachable moments. Sounds like a great book. Look forward to reading it.
Great advice!! I’ve always found that when your purpose and your work align, nothing is possible.
#1 really resonates with me right now. Our company is in the process of moving our operation into an area where we can partner with the city on multiple levels. Connecting people to a passion is a great step in the process
Enjoyed the post. Look forward to reading the book
If I were to define a teacher, servant leadership would come to mind. The post (and the book) touches on what this might mean, let’s look at the qualities of a great teacher and how they embody the above principles to form a solid foundation from which to build a culture that honors the employees and strives for higher ideals.
Be the conductor of that orchestra…” is probably the only quote that has inspired me in quite some time.” I am an administrator at rural high school; I actually spend time to search for this newsletter. I am so excited when I see a Leadership Freak email!!
PLEASE, do not ever leave this site; I would be extremely saddened by this; again, if I don’t see it; I will search.
And I would do (almost) anything to have the privilege of participating in the Upward Bound!!
Please send me a book!! I am your biggest fan!!
Harnessing outward bound for business has been an interest of mine after experiencing its transformative effects myself. Therefore I’d very much appreciate an opportunity to read more on this fascinating topic and consider how best I can apply the principles it recommends.
What discoveries ignite you, that you can follow? I am always looking for the road less traveled, the pathway that is different and that might produce totally different unique outcomes. Unfortunately most just seek the easy way. Oh well I’ve always been a rebel in that aspect.
Good Stuff… A higher calling for a company can be so inspirational…
The transformative impact of Outward Bound has been an area of interest since I experienced my own empowerment growth having discovered a passion for outdoor pursuits and activities. Therefore I would welcome an opportunity to discover more about this and consider best how to apply the principles in this book.
I teach leadership – to high school students. Among the biggest challenges: letting them fail sometimes and getting them to believe in themselves. This book would make a great addition to our leadership library. I look forward to having a copy – whether or not it’s gifted.
I always wanted to participate in an Outward Bounds program. Would love to see the leadership lessons learned from the activity.
Great article! I believe connecting life to work and expanding the work beyond profit provides meaning, fulfillment and greater-than-self purpose! Loved what the Kohler company is doing;
their products can go beyond utilitarian to be beautiful and sometimes luxurious conduits for water to flow. At face value, this is somewhat privileged when we consider basic clean water needs are still unmet for so many! Tackling clean water issues internationally creates a bridge the two worlds.
Outward bound strongly implies other-centricism. The best measure might be if behaviors, such as being foremost customer-centric and servant oriented, which propel effectiveness and efficiency, hence assure profit or policy, are present or aligned with values. So the basic questions to ask are 1) Is this attitude a value (should be) and 2) Does our day to day work and tasks demonstrate our understanding and importance of this value.
Be the Leader in your life & others!
Thank you for the great read. I love teachable moments. As a HR Leader and Professional Coach I truly enjoy when we make these moments and particularly when they discover them on their own accord. We are a team and their is always a solution to any situation – we just need to be open and willing listen inside and out. I am in a great profession that allows so many to grow and prosper. Thank you again for your insights.
Sounds like a great book I still believer leadership is an adventure and an art. Sounds like I’m not alone! Teachable moments, extending honor, lifting up what we do so it can be more than self-serving but other-serving transforms the mundane to the significant. Good job!
“Living the Life” of leadership is what it’s all about, not just on the job!
This look like a Great book. Leadership is harder than you think. Hope to win a book to read.
Work / Life balance. It takes leadership to thrive in both. We walk our paths every day, somewhere someone is watching and will pattern their behaviors after yours, so lead by example everywhere you go, and keep learning from others along the way.
The mix of leadership and followership brings depth to the discussion. Leaders who move on to new pursuits too quickly leave followers behind wondering what the next shiny object will be. I would expect living a life of leadership involves staying on course over the long haul. I want to get better at being that kind of leader.
Transformative Leadership and expeditionary leadership strengthen one’s mission to make an impact above and beyond the local….and for this reason it needs to be shared
I like the allusions to encouraging the creative process in all employees. It seems like a very interesting book.
Thank you for an inspiring post, Mark. Pursuing a higher purpose — or set of purposes — leads to a better, more hospitable, more congenial, more loving, world — and a life worth living. We can and should do better!
I would love a copy of the book.
I believe that in all aspects of our lives we should be, couldbe, and are leading. Leaders are servants. Always learning, growing, teaching. I’m excited to see books that highlight leaders aren’t just corprate bosses. Leadership is an ever evolving way of life.
This reminds me of the Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner. I am glad that the art of life leadership is spreading and that companies are considering that it’s not just about profits for shareholders.
I’m the immortal words…..Ooo, ooo, pick me!
Yes, a higher purpose should always be there. Otherwise you just existing.
sound exciting, I listened to webinar regarding this yesterday. It’s exciting as we each find our own path and remember different things from our own perspective. Helping us recognize our own uniqueness while being reminded of our need for the perspective of others because of all the thing we miss if mine ins the only perspective available.
Excited to read this book! Would love a copy!
Excited to read the book! Would love a copy!
Would love to explore this book!
Great post! I found #4 Find Teachable moments super important. Helps keeps employees and management engaged and moving forward to the same goals.
I love “Pave the Path for Others to Follow”. A leader is judged by her/his followers.
Good afternoon,
I enjoyed reading today’s article.
Insightful and filled with substance and quality. This piece included business advice as well as inspiration to get through life.
The title is so true….your every day actions as a leader are truly something to live by. Allowing others to follow in your path and helping them stay engaged will allow them to live by and find meaning in the company’s values
#3 Follow the path as it unfolds…what a test of one’s professional discernment and faith. Discernment in recognizing that there is a path that can be followed, and faith that the path is either worth traveling upon or leads to a destination. Early on in my career all I thought about was destination. Now in my mid forties, I like the path (or journey). And I especially like the company I keep along the way!
Ok, this post really resonates for me because in today’s world, workers (especially millennials) almost have to have purpose that drives their inner being and keep them passionate. Otherwise, they are not interested very long and it’s just another data-point..
But, while I single-out millennials in my initial statement –it holds true for other reasons as well. For example, in this information age, Technology drives a greater awareness of our society and if you’re not doing things that enrich or enable our society, positive attention is very short-lived. Another dimension is that technology fuels non-traditional competition which requires different methods to attract and retain talent.
Lastly, my organization has adopted “Technology for good” which speaks volumes about the potential for AI to solve problems or make things worse..
Insightful perspective!
would love a copy!
Being aware of and using teachable moments resonates with me.
The notion of alignment between what you believe as a leader, what your purpose is as a leader and the vision and mission of the organisation you work in must be interdependent, otherwise the whole idea sets itself up for failure.
Would love a copy of the book.
“What greater purpose aligns with you or your company’s core skills?”
Great question.
I would love to further learn about leadership principles from different perspective of highly respectable leaders and mentors. Thank you for sharing!
An interesting and thought-provoking post!
The main purpose of any commercial business is to satisfy their needs with value based products/services & sustainability. Organization culture can be built on these lines and earn good image with a competitive edge.
Right Employees once get well nourished and trained will deliver the planned results.
Often in leadership there are so many things that we are advised to change in ourselves. This is helpful. However when you’re in a negative working culture; can backfire. You can end up draining all your buckets of resilience and finding yourself as the odd one out. Would greatly value an approach (if that is what this book is about) which focusses on outward behaviours which can help manage toxic situations also.
The idea of aligning makes sense. I realize frustrations I have had of getting buy in when the alignment has been off.