Our Experts Say: Horsing Around to be Great Leaders

Can horses really teach us to be great leaders? Whilst they certainly are majestic and beautiful, these amazing creatures can actually offer a unique approach to learning by teaching us interpersonal, life and leadership skills.

As part of our staff learning and development program, the Disability Services team spent an afternoon at an equineassisted learning centre, Four Legged Sages, gaining skills which can be transferred into all areas of their work.

Through a series of hands-on exercises and games, they explored the concepts of respect, perception, knowing your place in a team, and being aware of your thoughts and actions. The team was split into groups and spent time observing and listening, then leading the horses through a variety of obstacles. During this activity, they really got to explore their senses. Some team members were blindfolded so they could not see, some wore headphones so they could not hear, while others were told they could not speak, only feel or touch.

Upon reflection, Pravin Chand, Operations Manager, Disability Services said, “The team really embraced the day. Individually, they learnt the power of their own body language, to be perceptive of others, and how to communicate effectively with each other.”

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and don’t these pictures say it all!

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