One of the challenges we face as we start closing off the year is to ensure that we have reached the goals and targets we have set ourselves, and to set new ones for the upcoming year.
Good leaders, I suspect, make it a point of highlighting the purpose of this exercise and
take time to reflect on how this exercise impacts not only on the team, but on the leader him/herself.
We know that self-awareness and reflection is the cornerstone for great leadership, and with this in mind the core team of Staff Training leaders set off for a day of team-building with our Eagala specialists. For those that do not know,
Eagala is an equine based "therapy" or "reflection" exercise, as these majestic animals are highly attuned to human emotions and actions.
It was really quite astounding to observe our team through the lense of the horses.
For me personally, it highlighted quite a few aspects of my leadership style, as well as the internal pressures I put myself under whilst adapting the style where necessary.
From a personal perspective thus it was most useful in reminding me of my Achilles heel of impatience with processes and procedures that seem to be way too cumbersome for timeous outcomes in a rapidly changing world.
The point of the writing is to remind us that, as leaders,
we need to intentionally and mindfully return to the process of self-reflection to ensure that we are not unlearning that which we have learnt in the past. Thereby enabling ourselves to take on new challenges from a solid foundation of internal fortitude.
As I wish you all a great end to 2023 and even better beginning to 2024, I also wish you the time and space to reflect and the ability to access every aspect of you that will be needed as you navigate the upcoming year.
© Debbie Engelbrecht 2023
Debbie is the MD at
Staff Training, providing soft skills, team development and leadership training for South Africans since 2000. Should you wish for Staff Training to put together a team development package for you, please email info@stafftraining.co.za
