Guest Blog: Canoeing Ourselves (with Mintzberg)
What does a canoe trip with Henry Mintzberg teach us about leadership? More than you might expect. This guest post captures the essence of experiential learning—where nature, teamwork, and reflection converge to offer timeless lessons for today’s leaders.
From Download to Dialogue
Traditional leadership development often relies on content delivery—lectures, e-learning, and videos. But as Mintzberg reminds us, “Management, like swimming, cannot be learned by reading about it.” Leadership is a practice, not a theory.
Our canoe trip was a metaphor for this shift. Instead of absorbing information, we engaged in structured dialogue, reflecting on real challenges and applying conceptual ideas. This is the essence of peer learning.
The Power of Reflection
Mintzberg’s insight—that reflection on experience in light of conceptual ideas leads to development—was at the heart of our journey. Each paddle stroke became a moment to consider how we lead, how we listen, and how we act.
- We explored accountability through shared stories.
- We questioned assumptions about blame and responsibility.
- We committed to actions and revisited them in future sessions.
Building Communityship
As Mintzberg writes in Rebuilding Companies as Communities, leadership is about fostering communityship. Our canoe trip was not just a retreat—it was a living example of how peer coaching groups build trust, insight, and action.
Join the Journey
Whether you’re paddling through uncertainty or navigating change, CoachingOurselves offers a way to reflect, learn, and lead together.
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