Why Spending Time Outside Will Help You Be a Better Leader

4/10/2018

There's a reason they say it's lonely at the top.

For the leader of any organisation, you may have lots of people working for you, but with the challenge of a changing and diverse workforce, a never ending conveyor belt of meetings, reports, and decisions, with uncertain outcomes and the pressure to deliver, you can end up feeling pretty isolated and wondering how best to lead effectively.

You’re not alone: 60% of leaders say feeling isolated affects their performance, and instead they get caught up in the small details and push aside the decisions that really matter. [†]

Many business leaders recognise that they need more headspace to think clearly and strategically. But sometimes that's still not enough. You need ideas and honest discussion with your peers.

There is clear evidence that you can make those conversations even more powerful by spending time in nature. It will increase your creative thinking by 50%.

Not only that, being outside helps you network and connect more deeply, more quickly.

And leadership is a journey. One of the best ways to develop yourself and grow your organisation is to learn from other leaders.

Which is why we've launched Campfire Catalyst for Leaders, a place where you can get quality time with a community of like-minded leaders around a fire. We facilitate meaningful conversations, activities in nature, and time for reflection, that'll inspire you to new action.

Talking around a fire is primal and connecting, and is how we’ve advanced human culture for thousands of years.

The latest research shows that nature assists the process:

Time in nature is a great leveller and breaks down personal barriers, making it easier to connect with others ††
Being in the outdoors improves decision making and dramatically increases creative thinking by 50% †††
Nature makes you less impulsive and instead inspires you to find long-term solutions ††††

If you're a leader of an organisation and would like to explore how you lead with other likeminded leaders, come to one of our Wild Leadership Campfires - view here for more information.

† Harvard Business Review (2017)
†† BioScience Vol 65, Iss 12
††† Atchley RA, Strayer DL, Atchley P (2012) Creativity in the Wild
†††† Royal Society (2013)