James was at Nature Connected Coaching Live at Henley Business School in June, the only event of its kind in the world that brings together nature and outdoor coaches, therapists and leaders. Here are his thoughts on what this growing community loves, and needs in future.
It was a joy! Here’s why…and some thoughts on what else is needed in future.
The strengths of a face to face event
There were three particularly brilliant things about the event.
1. The community
This is the first event of its kind in the world, so being with likeminded people, outdoors, with time and space to connect and get to know each other is precious. Love and respect to everyone involved, with a special shout-out to Paul Jefferies, Kirsteen Jefferies, and absent friends Anna-Marie Watson and Alexandra Burn.
🥰 Meeting up with grads and students from my Nature Based Coaching Skills training was especially special (picture below!).
2. The breadth
The diversity of topics that can be experienced here is staggering – from working in urban areas (Jackee Holder), and with neurodivergent clients, to animal-assisted coaching, systemic team work, metaphor (loved my session with Lesley Roberts – pictured), business development, equity, trauma…etc etc.
3. The space to reflect
On yourself, the state of coaching, your practice, and what the future looks like.
What do we need in future?
😊 I am incredibly grateful to be involved in these events. and I feel there are 3 things we also need from events and communities like this in future.
1. 🤝 Break down silos.
The Henley event was a great coaching event, but the challenges the world is facing need us to join up with other sectors. Therapy, mentoring, consulting, leadership. How can events like this help us join up, learn and put our combined shoulders behind the same wheel?
2. 📈 Scale
Most coaches are solopreneurs. We love it because we can control our work, our creative input, and our niches. But solo isn’t enough – we need to join up, collaborate, scale. Events like Henley’s could help us do that.
3. 💚 Give back.
Tracey Robinson gave a heart-felt plea at the close for us to think about how coaching can reach people who don’t usually benefit e.g. those with poor mental health, or limited economic means. We also need to give back to nature. For events and communities like this to not only be sustainable (Henley set a great example of that) but hashtag#regenerative.
What do you think?
If you were there, what were your reflections? Email or contact us an let us know!
If you weren’t there, what would you like to see at a future event – either at Henley, or somewhere else!