In the world of leadership, where strategy and decision-making are paramount, empathy, trust, and communication are often the silent forces that drive success. These traits, sometimes overlooked in traditional leadership training, find a powerful and unique medium in horse riding.
Much like the bond between Albert and Joey in the acclaimed film War Horse, where mutual trust and unspoken understanding guide them through the turmoil of war, horse-assisted leadership programs offer C-suite executives a profound way to refine their abilities. Joey’s journey through the trials of war teaches us that leadership isn’t just about directing; it’s about understanding, adapting, and navigating challenges with purpose.
The concept of Horse-Assisted Learning originated two decades ago in Germany and has since been embraced by more than Fortune 500 companies to nurture the leadership skills of their C-suites. These programs leverage the intuitive and responsive nature of horses to enhance emotional intelligence, leadership acumen, and the ability to inspire teams.
To gain deeper insights into this innovative approach, we spoke with Silva Storai, Director of Embassy International Riding School (EIRS). Silva’s journey from a young Italian venturing to India to becoming a trailblazer in equestrian sports is nothing short of inspirational. She broke barriers in 1993 as one of the few women to embark on a professional racing career and has since dedicated over two decades to shaping EIRS into a premier institution for equestrian education.
This conversation explores the transformative impact of horse-assisted learning on leaders, particularly those navigating the complexities of the corporate world.
How is EIRS helping senior and mid-level leaders and managers to increase their EQ and also teach a thing or two about leadership?
Originating in Germany two decades ago, horse-assisted education is now adopted by numerous Fortune 500 companies globally to develop leadership and self-awareness skills. At EIRS, our Horse-Assisted Leadership Programme offers participants a transformative experience with horses, guiding these professionals to boost their Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and acquire invaluable leadership insights.
The benefits of taking up our programmes are listed below:
- Our program builds a strong connection between participants and horses, emphasizing non-verbal communication and emotional awareness.
- As participants guide horses through obstacles, they practice leadership skills such as communication, adaptability, and empathy.
- Participants gain improved EQ, clear leadership strategies, and stronger, trust-based relationships. This experience enhances leadership abilities and underscores the importance of non-verbal communication in effective leadership.
How is EIRS helping the Fortune 500 brands in learning next level leadership skills?
At EIRS, our programs specialise in imparting advanced leadership skills to professionals across all departments of an organisation. Unlike conventional methods, which often rely on theoretical frameworks or tools, we prioritize experiential learning. These sessions delve into 6 to 7 exercises and personalized one-on-one sessions with horses where participants are enabled with the right set of tools to develop a profound understanding of behavioral nuances and learn to respond adeptly to diverse situations.
Through these hands-on sessions with horses and personalized training, participants gain profound insights into their leadership styles.
How the Horse-Assisted Leadership Programme proved to be a 'dark horse' in leadership for these fortune 500 companies.
(Inputs from Isabelle Hasleder, equestrian athlete and trainer)
Interacting with horses can help individuals learn how to manage their emotions effectively and build emotional intelligence.
Feedback from companies post-program has highlighted several key improvements. Participants exhibit greater clarity in their leadership strategies, making more informed and decisive actions. There is also a marked increase in empathy, as leaders become more attuned to the needs and emotions of their teams.
- The program fosters stronger relationships and trust among colleagues, as the experiential learning fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of non-verbal communication and emotional intelligence.
Overall, the Horse-Assisted Leadership Programme has proven to be an innovative and effective tool, enhancing leadership qualities and emotional intelligence in ways that traditional methods often fail to achieve.
