Let’s talk about leadership. Not the kind you read about in business books. Not the kind you see on TV. Not the kind that politicians pretend to be. I’m talking about the kind that’s forged when you’re knee-deep in mud, halfway up a hill, running on pure grit with your kids, wife and ageing dog lagging behind, unmotivated and uninspired.
We’ve all heard the clichés: “Leaders are made, not born.” “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” “Don’t pull, push.” But how often do we really live that discomfort? How often do we throw ourselves into the unknown and test who we are when things don’t go to plan? How often do we lead with encouragement as opposed to just trying to do things over the line?
For me, taking leaders out of the boardroom and into the wild is all about breaking down past habits and finding new, real world experiences that can translate to life as a leader.
I take people out of their comfort zone in order to reconnect them with the core of who they are, how they lead and see exactly what they’re truly capable of when the pressure’s real.
Why nature makes the best teacher
You can fake confidence in a meeting. You can rehearse your answers for a pitch. You can even feign confidence in a crudely written blog post. But when you’re out on the trail, cold, tired, hungry and suddenly responsible for a team who’s counting on you – it’s a whole different story.
Nature doesn’t care about your job title. It doesn’t respond to ego or charm. It responds to presence, to listening, to calm under pressure. You either adapt, or you stall. And for leaders, that’s a powerful mirror. You’ve all seen LOST right?
Anyway, outdoor leadership training has been used by top institutions for years. Why? Because being in the elements strips away the distractions and gets straight to the point: how do you show up when things are hard?
Leadership isn’t a theory, it’s practice
When we take teams or individuals into the wild trekking across Yorkshire or disappearing down a cave in the Lake District, we’re not just testing endurance. We’re testing self-awareness, communication, trust, and emotional regulation.
Why? Well this stuff is exactly the stuff that matters when you’re leading people, navigating conflict, or steering through uncertain times. There’s no two ways about it. You can’t lead effectively if you’re reactive, avoidant or disconnected. Out here, we learn to spot those habits – and shift them. Fast.
I see it happen all the time. Someone who leads with control suddenly has to rely on a teammate for navigation. Someone who normally stays silent in meetings becomes the natural motivator when spirits dip.
These moments are gold, not just for me, but for the person they’re happening to. These challenges immediately reveal hidden strengths, reveal blind spots and expose the true essence of how people are leaders inside. No matter how overconfident or timid they once were.
And for the skeptics out there, this isn’t just “team-building” with a mountain view. Research shows that experiential outdoor learning can significantly enhance leadership capacity.
A study published in the Journal of Management Development found that leaders who engaged in wilderness-based experiences reported marked improvements in confidence, empathy, and decision-making under pressure.
Other studies have shown that time in nature helps improve cognitive flexibility, reduce stress hormones, and strengthen interpersonal dynamics. In short? It makes you sharper, calmer and more human. Win win.
Unforgettable lessons in leadership
The beauty of wild experiences is that they don’t stay in the wild. The skills you develop out there follow you home. Into the boardroom. Into family life. Into friendships. Into personal development.
But don’t take it from me. We hear it all the time:
“I realised I’ve been leading through fear.”
“I learned I don’t always have to have the answer.”
“I finally started trusting my team to step up.”
That kind of growth doesn’t happen in a two-hour Zoom workshop. It happens when you’ve been up since 5am, your head torch battery is dying and someone’s looking to you for a call on what’s next. It happens when you’re stripped back to your instincts.
Did you know? Instincts can be recalibrated, if you know how.
CEO of nothing
Before I conclude, there’s one more crucial point to be made. One of the most freeing (and humbling) parts of our leadership in the wild program is this: your job title doesn’t matter. At all. Zero. Nada. Meaningless.
No one cares if you run a company, manage a team, or just come along for the challenge. You could be Elon Musk, you could be old homeless Bob from outside the supermarket. Out here, we’re all on the same ground, literally. When you realise this is the same for any situation, that’s when I find the penny drops.
And that’s a gift. Because when you take off the armour and lead from a more honest, grounded place, you start to connect better. Not just with your team, but with yourself.
You learn to listen more. To delegate more. To trust your gut. But also be open. Prepared to change. Ready to listen and lead with purpose. These are the qualities that separate good leaders from great ones. These are the leaders I like to find within.
So lace up. We’re heading outside. You might just find the strongest version of yourself out there.
John Beamson
Founder, The CEO Adventurer
