“I have attended and participated in numerous leadership trainings (4 years of attending a U.S. service academy) and this was by far one of the most useful and applicable discussions about leadership that I have participated in.”
“Russ really gave us useful challenges to move us out of our comfort zone, welcome the conflict, and apply it to our lives. The experiences that Russ orchestrated were very impactful and will stay with me through my life.”
“I only wish we could have spent the entire day (or week) working through these leadership challenges. I am surprised at how effective and impactful an experience could be created within such a short couple of hours.”
“I was struck by how brilliantly this exercise created challenging, spontaneous dynamics and situations which deepened our understanding of what leadership is really about.”
“So, the day before was the theoretical part of the class, and to be fair, I never thought, never imagined that the day after I would experience all the concepts learned in the class: Thinking, focusing, looking, listening, feeling, reasoning, everything at the same time. Experiencing the connection between body, mind, and soul. I named this day: “The first times day”, because for me was it in many ways: It was my first time kayaking; it was my first time feeling completely helpless. It was my first time feeling myself as David from David and Goliath. This was when Russ gave me Tom’s hand while he was blinded. I thought about telling Russ: “no, please! Give me someone else, Tom is too much responsibility for me!!!” I didn’t do it because I was speechless (this doesn’t happen to me often). This was my first time observing someone for more than half an hour in order to give positive leadership feedback at the end of the session. Sonja, was my objective and this experience changed completely my first (and prejudiced) impression of her. This day will accompany me for the rest of my life. This day was, literally, an eye opener, a “reset” day. Thank you Russ and Barbara for this experience.” (some names have been changes for confidentiality reasons.