Leadership Lessons from the Equine World: Harnessing Awareness, Positivity, and Communication
Leadership is a multifaceted skill that demands a unique blend of qualities for effectiveness. Surprisingly, many of these qualities align harmoniously with the attributes necessary to work with horses. Whether you possess innate leadership qualities, seek to develop your leadership skills, or simply aim to enhance your existing abilities, embarking on a journey of horsemanship can be truly transformative. In this blog, we delve into the symbiotic relationship between horsemanship and leadership, shedding light on how becoming a better horseman at Ocean View Stables can pave the way for becoming an exceptional leader.
Awareness: A Critical Leadership Skill
A powerful leader must possess heightened awareness of their surroundings, vigilantly monitoring all aspects of their organization or team. Similarly, working with horses demands keen awareness. A personal anecdote illustrates the importance of this skill: while grooming and saddling horses lined up along a fence, I learned the hard way that predictability cannot always be assumed, especially when introducing a new horse to the group. Startling a horse from behind resulted in an unfortunate kick. This incident taught me to remain alert, maintaining a relaxed attitude that promotes a calm environment for both humans and horses. This lesson in awareness proved invaluable in my journey as a leader.
Positivity: A Key Attitude for Leaders and Horse Handlers
A relaxed and positive attitude is a quality that benefits leaders and horse enthusiasts alike. It involves maintaining a sense of positivity while dealing with people and animals. As a leader, my moods and tone of voice had a significant impact on my team's morale. Recognizing this, I learned to take a deep breath, relax, and foster a positive mindset before starting my day. By reinforcing positive thoughts about how the day would unfold, I created an atmosphere that influenced my team's attitudes.
Horses are even more attuned to our state of mind than people. If you approach riding with anxiety or anger from a previous training session, the horse will sense your emotions. Tense horses are less receptive to learning and lack the confidence to move forward fluidly. Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial when working with our equine companions.
Effective Communication:Bridge Between Leaders & Horse Handler
Communication plays a pivotal role in both leadership and horse handling. In school or business settings where communication falters, tasks may be misunderstood, leading to frustration and criticism. Similarly, when communicating with horses, it is vital to establish understanding. One of my mentors, Dan, taught me the importance of making it easy for the horse to do the right thing and tougher to do the wrong thing. During a training session, I struggled with a new horse that consistently moved away when being mounted. Observing my approach, Dan identified the flaw in my communication. He took the reins and mounted the horse himself, responding differently when the horse moved away. Instead of allowing the horse to rest, Dan quickly made him back up, creating discomfort for the undesired behavior. Through effective communication, Dan taught the horse to stand still during mounting.
The realms of leadership and horsemanship intertwine in remarkable ways, each enhancing the other. Horse handling instills qualities vital for successful leadership, such as awareness, positivity, and effective communication. Horses naturally bring out the best leadership skills in us, enabling us to carry these valuable lessons into various aspects of our lives. Embrace the opportunity to become a better leader through the wisdom of horses and unlock your true potential as you navigate the journey of horsemanship.
Ocean View Stables, nestled in a coastal paradise, offers more than just exceptional horsemanship experiences—it serves as a catalyst for leadership growth. Exploring horsemanship at Ocean View Stables unveils the profound symbiotic relationship between the equestrian world and leadership. As you become a better horseman, you'll discover that the qualities essential for successful horse handling seamlessly align with those necessary for effective leadership. Embrace the transformative power of horsemanship at Ocean View Stables, and watch as your horsemanship skills pave the way for becoming an exceptional leader in all aspects of your life.