Developing Leaders With Essential People Skills and Optimising Business and Workplace Teams Jess is mother to two daughters, Meg (11) and Bonnie (5).
26/01/2025
π Post
I am very fortunate. Life has moved in miraculous ways. We are building a fantastic facility and venue in the SE, and I am beyond grateful to my partner Scott who has supported my work and dream by building a space so I can continue on my purposeful journey.
In all of this, I can't help but miss this little, but incredible space (in the photo). The nature-based classroom and horse arena that so many humans and a number of horses came together at Highland Valley. There were connections made, hugs had, tears shed, a-ha moments experienced, convicted decisions made and deep, thought provoking conversations had. There were leadership attributes developed, and profound awareness discovered.
There were some break-downs, and more break-throughs.
Being humanβ with all of our human patterning, our different perspectives, our different philosophies, our triggers, our fears, our "busy" thoughts and our behavioural blind spots.. and then...
The Horsesβ who simply desire to follow our lead. The Horsesβ calling us to connect with our own truth; our own authenticity. The Horses β calling us to align our heads and hearts; to be present in the moment - free from the past... and attuned to being the best version of ourselves in the present. They call us to BECOME the person that is aligned with who we want to be, in the future.
The horses teach us to tune in. They exist with a natural intelligence and they are waiting for us to become attuned to this natural intelligence.
Oh how I miss this space. It was often mentioned by clients that they felt a healing energy when they came to do a program or session. Perhaps it was the quartz crystal scattered through the paddocks, the magical gums, the energy flow of the land. Perhaps it was the herd's harmony that weaved through the space.
While I talk mostly about, and facilitate "leadership development" in my content, my page and workshops.. at the end of the day... all leaders are human. All leaders have 'human stuff' that is always impacting themselves, their relationships and their results.
So while I market Leadership Development.. essentially what I do, is human or people development. It's personal development. Yes, we work with teams. Yes, there is HUGE benefit to having a workplace team come together to work team dynamics and function; communication; trust; relationships; understanding etc etc.
I have found.. the sustainable results come from individuals working on themselves, first.
It's taken me a year of messy self discovery, unraveling, listening to logic, sitting in intuition.. to come full circle to fill the missing gap at LCE, which includes personal leadership development. For a team to come along and work deeply on themselves, BEFORE they workshop together as a team.
So this year is full of clarity and conviction and developing a model that brings the best of everything I have, together - where people really get to deep dive into self discovery; build their emotional muscles; transform their perspective; re-energise their identity; and really develop deeper competencies in leadership - both in self and in relating to, and positively influencing others.
It's going to be a busy year! I take a moment to reminisce on the journey and all of the incredible people who were a part of that in different ways. I think of all of the Horses who have partnered with me to facilitate sessions, watching how they communicate certain things with every individual has been one of my biggest pleasures. Horses are incredible teachers of self.. if we are willing and open to listen and take on board their feedback.
We have all come together, to raise consciousness. To raise human awareness. To learn how to think differently; to learn how to respond more thoughtfully, rather than react to situations; to learn how to communicate with awareness, rather than assuming people understand what we are saying; and to learn how to lead more effectively, and "LEAD LIKE A MARE".
Because Lead Mare'sβ trust themselves, back themselves, have certainty, have healthy relationships with the other herd members, have respect and trust from the other herd members, have focus and direction, have grit, have grace.
The lead mare embodies all that we would benefit from acquiring in leadership and life.
Our new venue will have a slightly different vibe... but still, I am determined to make it a place where people come to grow, align and transform themselves - and their businesses.
Now, I am out to beat the heat and enjoy this very last day of school holidays with my family. I trust that all of your young people enjoy their transition into another year - whether that be school, home school, new employment etc. and that you, have your most wonderful year yet.
Jess, and the Herd ππ΄
