If you’re like most people, you’ve probably heard the term “leadership development” thrown around quite a bit. But what does it really mean, and why should you even care about it? Well, let me break it down for you.
At its core, leadership development is all about helping individuals become better leaders. It’s a process that focuses on enhancing the skills, abilities, and mindset required to effectively lead and inspire others. And trust me, it matters a lot – whether you’re the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, a team lead at a startup, or even a parent trying to guide your kids.
You see, great leaders aren’t just born; they’re made. Through a combination of training, mentorship, and real-world experience, anyone can learn to become a more effective leader. And that’s where leadership development comes in.
There are various ways to go about leadership development, with countless courses, workshops, and coaching programs available to help you level up your leadership game. These programs often cover topics like communication, decision-making, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution – all essential skills for successful leaders.
But don’t just take my word for it; there’s a ton of research showing that investing in leadership development can lead to increased productivity, higher employee engagement, and even better financial performance for organizations. So, it’s not just about personal growth – it’s also a smart business move.
In a nutshell, leadership development is all about becoming the best leader you can be. Whether you’re a seasoned executive looking to hone your skills or an aspiring leader eager to make a mark, there’s always room for growth and improvement. After all, the world needs more great leaders, and it’s never too late to start your journey.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of leadership development, and unlock your full potential as a leader. Your team, your organization, and even your personal life will thank you for it!
Equine-Assisted Learning is an innovative and effective approach to personal and professional development. Because it uses horses as partners in the learning process. It is a unique and powerful tool that can help people and groups of all ages and backgrounds learn new skills, develop self-awareness, and build stronger relationships.
Here are some of the key benefits of Equine Assisted Learning:
Improved communication skills: Horses are incredibly attuned to your non-verbal communication. This means when you are working with horses they can help anyone become more aware of their own body language. Being aware of your own body language and tone will improve your ability to communicate effectively with others.
Increased self-awareness: Horses are honest mirrors of our emotions and intentions. So when you are working with them can help you become more aware of your own emotional state and develop greater emotional intelligence. A better understanding of yourself therefore will help you understand others.
Enhanced leadership and teamwork skills: Horses are social animals that rely on strong leadership and teamwork to survive. So when you are working with a horse you need to be their leader. When you are working with them they will show you how. It then becomes easier to understand how you develop your own leadership and teamwork skills.
Reduced stress and anxiety: There is a lot of evidence about how spending time with horses has a calming effect on the human nervous system, which in turn can help you reduce stress and anxiety.
Fun and engaging: Equine Assisted Learning is a fun and engaging way to learn new skills. It is a great way to develop personal and professional insights. It’s a unique and memorable experience that can help you build confidence and self-esteem.
Experiential Learning: Equine Assisted Learning is a practical way to engage in problem-solving skills that stick with you for life.
In summary, Equine Assisted Learning is a powerful and effective approach to personal and professional development. In other words, it is a program that can help individuals and groups of all ages and backgrounds learn new skills, develop self-awareness, and build stronger relationships. If you’re interested in improving your communication skills, possibly developing your leadership abilities, or even reducing stress and anxiety, Equine Assisted Learning may be the perfect solution for you.
Horses for leaders or equine-assisted learning for leadership is a form of experiential learning that involves working with horses to develop a range of leadership skills. Equine-assisted learning can help leaders in so many ways.
Communication
When you are a leader you need to be able to influence others and how and what you communicate matters. When you are leader you need to be able to show up and show people you care. So your communication is essential. Horses can show you how to develop your non-verbal communication. Horses are highly attuned to non-verbal communication, which means that they can pick up on even subtle cues from you. This makes them excellent partners for developing skills in non-verbal communication, such as body language and emotional regulation. This is a skill you cannot learn without practice and practical experience.
Trust and Respect
Trust and respect are the key ingredients in any relationship. Even in a team. Because horses are social animals they rely on trust and respect to function effectively in a herd. They show you in real-time effective ways to develop trust and respect. If you are authentic in your dealings with them they will show you trust and respect. Developing a trusting and respectful relationship with a horse can help leaders understand the importance of building similar relationships with their team members.
Emotional Intelligence
Because horses are sensitive and highly attuned to emotions they can show us how to be emotionally intelligent. They can help leaders develop emotional intelligence by providing immediate feedback on how their emotions are affecting their interactions with the horse. Horses will react to your emotions and allow you the opportunity to practice your calm-assertive leadership skills that can influence others.
Problem-Solving
The core principals of equine-assisted learning are problem-solving. Working with horses can present a range of challenges that require creative problem-solving skills. Leaders who participate in equine-assisted learning can develop their ability to think outside the box and find innovative solutions to complex problems.
Overall, equine-assisted learning can be a powerful tool for leaders because it provides a unique and immersive learning experience that can help them develop a range of important skills in a relatively short amount of time.
Ever felt dog tired and just needed a little something to pick you up and make you feel better? Most people buy a new dress, maybe a new lipstick. Well, my retail therapy was buying a horse. After years of not owning a horse with nowhere to put one, I decided that the only thing going to make me feel better was buying a horse. I look back now and I am grateful to my ever-forgiving and patient husband who tried to be the rational voice. He was solid until I showed him a picture of a horse called “Ben” (my husband’s name) whilst emotionally explaining that this would make me so happy. He reluctantly agreed that I could call and find out if he was still available.
Well as it turns out he was gone but by then my husband had agreed to the idea and in my usual fashion, I was all in. I hunted around for a “cheap horse” because we couldn’t afford an expensive one. I found just the one and he sounded perfect. A gorgeous chestnut gelding off-the-track thoroughbred would be great for beginners. I immediately packed everyone up in the car to go and just look at him right away.
Initial warnings
In hindsight, I should have known that there would be an issue with this beautiful horse. The person I bought him from only rode him for a short time and she wasn’t comfortable cantering him. He was already caught and saddle up when we went to look at him, there were so many red flags but, I was hooked. He was the first horse I went to see in person and I just had to have him.
Now I have bought a horse but, I have no way to transport him, no place to put him, no vet checks, no saddle, not a brush, not even a lead rope. I had nothing but the idea that I wanted a horse. Well, I solved all those problems quick smart and bought him home to an agistment property that I didn’t even visit. My cheap horse is now getting quite expensive and I haven’t even done anything with him yet.
I should have realised again that there would be problems when the farrier comes out to the property to do his shoes he says to me “he still has race shoes on, he is not long off the track!” and “this is your beginner horse?” Ohh no… But what would he know, I had just bought the horse of my dreams. This was a dream come true and no one was going to dampen my spirits.
More issues
Well, “H” as he became to be known, had a couple of issues. He would buck every time you asked for a canter, he wouldn’t get on a horse float, he pulled away when being lunged and was terrified of so many things. At times he was simply dangerous to be around.
One of the many injuries
After numerous broken bones and hospital visits and so many falls from this horse. I knew I needed help. My dream was turning into a nightmare.
H plays Santa’s helper
I got two different horse trainers to teach him to load on a float. Because they could get him on once but that was it. I wanted to be able to take my fantastic horse out of the paddock. I wanted to compete and go to the riding club and enjoy time with him. I knew I needed help but I didn’t know what help I needed.
So this is how my journey with horses and emotional intelligence started. It started with a horse who I loved but couldn’t do anything with and thought someone else could fix him.
What I have discovered over the years is that to “fix a horse” I needed to fix myself. So the journey begins.
There are countless ways to improve your overall life. However, the chances are high that you’re overlooking one of the major areas: your emotional intelligence. Improving your emotional intelligence can create a significant difference when it comes to your happiness and success. If you’re looking to increase your emotional intelligence, here are 5 ways you try.
Find Stress-Relieving Techniques
One of the easiest ways to improve your emotional intelligence is to determine your sources of stress and find a way to limit them. Stress-relief measures, like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga, might work for some people, but others might find hitting the speed bag or going for a run to be more effective at reducing stress. Finding out what works best for you. When you are in the moment and relaxed it is much easier to be your calm assertive self. It can help you become more emotionally intelligent in no time.
Take a Pause Before You Judge
Judging others is often a knee-jerk reaction that has become second nature to many of us. However, if you want to increase your emotional intelligence, you need to identify your judgmental thoughts and try to pause before you make a quick judgment. When you take the time to think about it, you may find that you are not upset with the person, but you are dealing with stress in another part of your life.
When I stop and ask myself why is this making me react rather than respond? More often than not it is because the situation is triggering some past trauma. It has nothing to do with the person or the moment in front of me.
Become Aware of How You Feel
Rather than immediately trying to combat negative feelings, take some time to sit with them for a while first. Understanding what it means for you to feel anger, resentment, or anger without an immediate fix can help you address what is causing you to feel those feelings and allows you to find a healthier way to deal with those emotions. Understanding and naming your emotions gives you power. It is possible to feel many emotions at once. You can be angry and happy all at the same time. One example, that comes to mind is when I lost my youngest child who was about 9 at the time and he was meant to be at home doing homework. When I got home the house was empty. After I looked in every corner of the house, I then starting going up and down the streets looking for him and had no idea where he was. Now in a panicked and frantic state, I thought I have to call the police because my son is missing. Soon after the police arrived at my doorstep while taking my statement my son appeared. He was just next door playing with a new friend he made that afternoon. He hadn’t heard me calling out his name up and down the street.
I had 100 emotions all at the same time, embarrassment, happiness, relieved, and anger, are the first few that came to mind. I went backwards and forwards through all the emotions in a very short period of time. This is why sometimes it is difficult to name our emotions and what we are feeling at a particular moment.
Learn to Take Criticism
No one likes to feel as though they are being criticised. However, learning to accept constructive criticism is a significant part of being emotionally intelligent. Helping trusted people give you feedback allows you to see your blind spots but be careful who you take critism from and how it is delivered.
The best technique for giving or receiving criticism is a “shit sandwich”. Start with the positive, put the suggested improvement in and then close it with another positive. This way feedback can be heard and actioned.
When we understand our authentic selves we can choose to adapt and change. We need advisors in our corner to help us learn how to be a better version of ourselves. Learning how, what and who to believe with feedback is a massive step toward increasing your emotional intelligence.
Accept Your Weaknesses
No one is perfect, and that’s alright. However, if you are looking to increase your emotional intelligence, it is imperative that you accept your weakness and learn from them, rather than simply denying that you have them. Learning to accept your shortcomings can significantly improve your emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence is an essential aspect of both your personal and professional success. These five methods for increasing your emotional intelligence can significantly improve your life.
