Inland Expeditions is a dynamic and moving way to create new opportunities within your team, board or entire organization.

Being outdoors, away from the four walls of a meeting room, is the most creative way to start strategic planning, conduct sales training, team development, board of directors meetings and other organization events.

The Advancing Leadership Institute of DDJ Myers, Ltd. uses a fleet of Land Rovers, under the direction and facilitation of certified leadership coaches, to create a meaningful experience for your team.

Your event leaders have been featured by the Land Rover company in outdoor commercials for television and local advertising. They also are hired by Land Rover to train new owners and drivers on safe use of the vehicles on desert and mountain terrain.

Our clients love this work! The learnings are sustainable and meaningful to the strategic vision of the organization. Our coaches integrate your business needs throughout the activities of the day.

Set aside a half day to a full day depending on the size of the group and location of the event. Multi day events, inclusive of overnight accommodations, are the most requested. Locations include scenic parts of Arizona, Colorado and Utah.

Inland Expedition
The four-wheel expedition is rich with metaphors related to Leadership. Expeditions require decisions on the destination (goal), understanding and utilizing assets effectively (drivers, vehicles, etc.), communicating effectively to move together, and, at times, how to recover from a break down. The questions abound on the trail: How do we lead the vehicle over obstacles? What do we bring of ourselves to the outing? How do we interact with others?

The successful expedition is like any endeavor, requiring attention to the following:

Navigation
Where are we headed? What route will we take? What resources do we need to get there? What are the likely breakdowns or major obstacles anticipated?

Boulders
When obstacles are encountered, how does the driver view it? What options and possibilities are available to reach the other side? Do they see it as something to be overcome? Gone around? Moved? Left to someone else to solve?

Leading From Behind
One of the most important leadership roles in an expedition team is the tail vehicle, usually referred to as the “tail-gunner” in reference to WWII bombers who had the role to watch out for the tail end of the aircraft. His or her role is to be sure everyone stays together. Many leaders take off on the expedition and assume that everyone will follow and know how to overcome the unknowns encountered. When the leader makes a turn, did everyone understand the direction and execute it correctly? The tail-gunner’s role is to be sure no one is stuck or left behind. How does each leader behave in that role to achieve success for the entire expedition?

Spotting
In an expedition, obstacles often require a “spotter”, someone who directs the driver from outside the vehicle. The driver must surrender decision-making control to someone else. The spotter must perceive what the driver sees, even as they view the obstacle from another vantage point. Are they comfortable in each role? How do they listen? How do they communicate succinctly?

Loss of Traction
When traction is lost, what tendency shows up? Adding power? Stopping? Frustration? What tools does the driver realize are at their disposal? Does the driver even understand why traction is lost? Is the vehicle hung-up, or is the terrain too loose? How does the driver remain “grounded” in tough situations? In soft sand, lowering the tire pressure, thereby making a softer connection between the wheel and the ground will increase traction. Even a blanket can be used to secure traction.

Articulation and Suspension
How does the driver use the vehicle’s tires, springs, shocks and clearance to safely move the team through the day? How effectively did they keep the wheels on the ground? Were they willing to let wheels off the ground to achieve the results needed? How did their passengers feel?

Tendencies With Obstacles
We often see drivers show up with one of three tendencies when large obstacles are encountered:

• Power: Grit the teeth, and press the accelerator to the floor. These drivers see power, gas, and torque as the way to move through issues.
• Finesse: Every boulder should be finessed and gently rolled over. These drivers see a great need to avoid rocking the vehicle or often are afraid of causing damage.
• Thinking: At every obstacle, the driver gets out and analyzes the situation carefully before proceeding. They see the need to assess each situation with great care before proceeding.

Each of these will be effective given the terrain to be overcome. The question is, how well can the driver effectively move to address the obstacle at hand?

Communication
Most of our communication while on the expedition is straightforward, but in tight situations, we use specific communication between drivers, leaders, and spotters, some of which is visual. How does the driver react to the different communication? How does the leader or spotter use the visual and verbal cues? How do the spotter and driver blend?

Trail Building
At times, even the most talented driver and competent vehicle will require some trail building. How able does each person recognize the need to stop and build the trail? Who steps in to build the trail, and who stands by and watches? How patient are they as this process unfolds? How does this person utilize the resources at hand?

Environment
How did the team members view the environment around them? Did they find awe in the grand beauty around them as well as the small beauty underfoot? Did they leave it free from debris? Did they carelessly leave the trail and destroy the terrain?

Using the outdoors, with quality tools, is a unique way for your leadership team to learn more about their individual leadership style and how to blend effectively with others.

Call Mark Haeussler or Deedee Myers for a customized Inland Expedition for your group.