09 Dec 2022 Reflections

The global (and national) events of 2022 have fueled the fires of complexity, anxiety and uncertainty still lingering from the Covid pandemic and the subsequent economic and social shutdown. Through the tragedy, the year has presented an intense learning journey for many individuals, teams and companies.

At Lead with Humanity, we were thrown right back into our leadership immersions, welcoming a new group of delegates both from around South Africa and abroad every few weeks.

It was invigorating to be back. It is also reassuring to know that purpose-driven, experiential leadership development is sought after, now more than ever.

Here are the Lead with Humanity team’s top six lessons from 2022.

1. Nothing beats a real-life experience.

The digital world has an important role in the future of work and the hybrid models that have emerged have created an abundance of opportunities.

We worked hard to emulate our work online, and in instances, were able to deliver meaningful experiences for our delegates. But there were things we could never replace. Not the heart-racing adrenaline of an unchartered experience; the taste or smell of something never tasted or smelt before; the butterflies of connection when you find something in common with someone who was once a stranger; or the profound sense of peace, when you finally feel at home, alone with your thoughts. Nothing can replace that.

2. It is a rare privilege to spend time in nature

The African Bush has a profound way of healing the soul and providing a deep perspective that would be difficult to find anywhere else. It is a great privilege to spend time in nature – one that should never be taken for granted.

There is science rooted in this statement too. Nature has a proven role to play in positive psychology – specifically when it comes to reducing levels of depression and anxiety, increased contentment and satisfaction, hope and optimism. Time in nature can even increase our engagement in learning, our self-esteem and our capacity to engage socially.

And the more we immerse ourselves in nature, the more we reap these benefits.

3. There is much to learn from the energy and interconnectedness of the bush

Staying with the theme of the African Bush (in fact, anywhere in nature), energy and interconnectedness were strong themes this year. All species of trees, flowers and animals impact one another as part of their survival – they exist through symbiotic and interconnected relationships. Similarily, who we are and what we do has a ripple effect on our relationships, teams, families and communities. Yet, we only really notice the potential impact of our behaviour when we pause and reflect on the events around us and how we might possibly have a responsible for them.

4. Good people are everywhere.

For every corrupt politician dominating the headlines, there are a thousand good people – protecting their village, uplifting their community, stepping up in leadership. These are the people to be inspired by. These are the people we must actively seek out. These are servant leaders and the people with the potential to change the world.

5. Leaders have a role to play in mental health.

Bad leadership is rife and it’s a fundamental cause behind the mental health challenges permeating our workplaces. It is likely that a big cause of this bad leadership is leaders themselves taking immense strain, dealing with burnout and having potentially lost themselves in the chaos.

The journey from bad leadership to good leadership, is very often a journey back to your authentic self. And then, you become the catalyst for a healthy work environment.

6. You’re never too old or too experienced to stop learning.

At Lead with Humanity, we have over 200 years of collective experience in leadership development. And still, every single immersion teaches us something new about ourselves, this work, our place in the world, and the potential for great leadership that exists everywhere.