Wilderness Experiences Foster Authentic Leadership

Abstract

Against the backdrop of dramatically increased complexity, speed of change, great uncertainty, and lack of confidence, the call for “new leaders” has become louder. These contemporary challenges demand more than just a change in leadership competences. Scholars and practitioners have argued that a more fundamental shift in mindset is required. At the same time, leadership development is largely based on cognition-based learning to improve competences – skills and abilities (skillset) – through classroom exercises in traditional venues. This is in contrast to addressing the capacities of leaders – their inner resources (mindset) in the face of complex leadership challenges. Yet, changing mindsets is not easy and requires different training than competency-focused programs. However, a stay under primitive conditions in pristine nature does something to us. People relax, reflect, or even transform. Three consecutive empirical studies, conducted by the author, suggest that such a wilderness journey promotes the transformation towards purposeful, authentic leadership.