The Merger

We anticipated some challenges with the merger. There would be those willing to embrace change and we accepted the fact that there might be resistance. Preparations were complete, the day had come when we had to move past theory and execute the plan.

Everything was proceeding well, everyone seemed prepared to dance around the inevitable conversations – there were polite exchanges and the odd guarded reaction. Then theory collapsed and reaction escalated as territorial jurisdiction overlapped and the reaction of the moment was threat. Like many mergers even the best laid plans can go awry.

This merger wasn’t unique, it followed a relatively simple plan - the benefits resource conservation and efficiency. The difference, we were combining two herds of horses on a single winter pasture.

Mutual benefit isn't a horse’s first reaction, they respond based on instinct. They react in the purest form of communication - body language.

While the communication style may appear different. In many respects the merger of herds is not unlike what happens in the workplace – there are benefits: resources, costs, efficiencies, and ultimately shareholder return and there are the inevitable rough spots and transition issues.

What if you were present enough in your conversations or interactions with others that you began to recognize the symptoms of perceived threat through the subtleties of non-verbal communication? Would an improved awareness of self and others help your team through a transition?

Horses can be some of our best teachers in this respect. They can truly help us see it's not what we say but how we say it. If you’ve experience the impact of a merger – you might find a little horse sense is what your team needs.

They’ve worked it out.

EGE Conference Valley Ford CA Jan 26-28

"Blink" and your very thought is conveyed, the message in Malcolm Gladwell's latest book of the same name. Gladwell explores facets of human emotion as they are disclosed by our non-conscious actions. Through a tapestry of stories, he quotes the work of psychologist, Silvan Tomkin's, who "believed that faces - even the faces of horses - held valuable clues to inner emotions and motivations"

To further investigate this thinking as it related to an emerging field of practice, I went to Valley Ford, California. I was joining in on the second annual Equine Guided Education (EGE) conference, the objective to reflect and share the thoughts, expression and work of experts from 4 continents and 10 countries.

Horses intuitively know that faces tell a story; they read our fear, our anger and our hesitation. Humans on the other hand, have to recognize, then learn and practice that skill. As we develop the ability we become better people, communicators and ultimately better leaders, the premise behind the growing number of individuals and institutions embracing the subject of EGE. The true value, and the key difference from other experiential activities, is we must step into the horse's realm of understanding. Horses are acutely perceptive, highly sensitive and their reactions reflect the approach and attitude of the humans they meet.

Horse whisperers have long recognized this sensitivity. EGE opens the philosophy of horse whispering to the corporate sector through facilitated group sessions or one-on-one coaching. We participated in, observed and discussed numerous ways to connect people and horses through the techniques of the horse whisperer. Those in attendance were all intrigued with the profound learning we gain by stepping into the realm of the horse and seeking their wisdom.

While a blink can be the gut feeling that leads us down the right path – it can also be that built in prejudice when we listen with our eyes alone. Listening involves all of our senses our eyes, ears and our heart. The beauty in an equine encounter is a horse doesn’t possess the cognitive aspects of ego or judgment so they are neither affected nor impressed by corporate title or position. A horse embodies the saying “They don’t care how much you know, until you show how much you care.”

A Reflection of you

When you look in the mirror, what do you notice? Let’s say you catch a look at yourself a half dozen times a day, opening a door, closing the microwave or washing your hands - each time, making an adjustment to your appearance. This fine-tuning helps maintain your self image. And if these reflections not only revealed your fashion sense, but your leadership ability, what would be reflected?

Making that conscious check is referred to as self-awareness. The challenge in developing your awareness and leadership ability is getting the feedback you need at the right time, seeing yourself in the mirror.

When it comes to immediate feedback, horses are one of the best teachers. A horse is acutely perceptive, brutally honest and has no hidden agenda. Like all social species, a herd animal looks for a leader. Their communication is non-verbal – the horse’s ears, eyes and body language will tell a lot about what they are thinking. If we begin to recognize the impact of our non-verbal cues on a horse, it becomes easier to understand and recognize the importance of non-verbal communication in our dialogue with people.

Take the simple task of leading a horse. How you lead a horse says more about you than the horse. If your approach suggests fear or no control – the horse will assume the lead. If your emotions get in the way and you become aggressive you might coerce the horse to follow, but out of fear not respect. To get the horse in step you have to recognize the process is as important as the destination.

A natural leader, the horse is also a natural follower. As you gain confidence and clarity through experience and reflection the horse will mirror those efforts, it is this ability that makes them a perfect tool for self-assessment. The beauty of horses is in the subtlety they teach us to embrace.

If the horse is your mirror, what reflection do you see?

Be a Natural Leader

As my first entry this will be a brief introduction of the meaning behind the title "Be a Natural Leader" and my company name - The Natural Leader.

The horse epitomises the qualities we seek to be a Natural Leader. There is little if any doubt in a horses mind as to who they will follow an instinct the horse maintains in the wild and in our backyards. This is why a horse is the perfect metaphor for learning about the workplace. Horses can teach us that to be a good leader you have to be a good listener - listening with all your senses. Learning to whisper.

Of the many opportunities I have had to learn about being a good leader - a horse remains my best teacher. She has been my Natural Leader as I have worked through the process and now she is one of my team of teachers that help other people to see themselves from a different perspective

I began this exploration 2 years ago and love sharing the learning and the experiences with others.

To learn about the programs we offer. Please visit our website.