Global Leadership Foundation celebrates 10 years on April 30th 2013. This is a significant milestone for us as it shows that our intent of raising emotional health levels across the globe is in action.

We are often asked how Global Leadership Foundation came about and we thought it was both timely and relevant to share this with you in our first blog for the year. The story has many facets and a history that predates its commencement. However, in this blog I will recall the events of the actual day that Malcolm and I made the commitment to form the organisation.

Malcolm and I had finished work with a client. There were two hours before Malcolm was to fly back to Tasmania so we chose to go to Docklands (a very new part of Melbourne at that time) and have a quick meal at one of the restaurants. I was recently returned from an Earthwatch at Arid Recovery as a volunteer and was excited to share my learning from the experience. As well, I’d gained insights into some research about people’s responses and reactions in remote environments that Malcolm had suggested I take up on the project.

Malcolm had been exploring levels of emotional health and the Enneagram within client environments and wanted to better understand what happened to people when they were out of their ‘comfort zones’. Arid Recovery provided a wonderful opportunity to do this.

We had also been exploring a very new and exciting way of thinking called Quantum Think using precise distinctions and practices that truly changed the way in which we saw the world and increased our awareness and understanding of what was possible to achieve.

All of these aspects came together in a conversation that provided us both with insights about the nature of leadership; how the problems and issues that seem so insurmountable in the workplace pale into insignificance when we work with endangered species in a remote location; how people ‘out of their comfort zone’ respond and react to unfamiliar requests and activities; and the significant impact that emotionally healthy leaders can have on this whole scenario.

Malcolm had recently purchased a lottery ticket for a $12 million draw. As our conversation unfolded, he said that if he won he would set up a foundation to build the self-awareness and emotional health of leaders and explore ways of engaging them in similar opportunities to the one I had experienced at Arid Recovery. We also discussed including other types of transformative experiences.

Within minutes, I asked if we really needed to wait for the $12 million. We decided we didn’t, and within 24 hours we had established Global Leadership Foundation with the intent of raising emotional health levels across the globe with three guiding principles: Self-Realisation, Collaboration and Stewardship.

Ever since that beginning, at the heart of Global Leadership Foundation has been the desire and willingness to develop, strengthen and transform leaders worldwide, with our leadership experiences being the core of our work. Whilst we know that transformation can occur in any setting, the opportunity to bring leaders into an environment where they can ‘see the horizon’ – both literally and metaphorically provides a completely different perspective.

There are many other stories to share from this amazing time back in 2003 and these will appear in future blogs. However, this story distinguishes the core reason for our being. We hope you have enjoyed it.

Gayle

In 2013, Global Leadership Foundation will offer a number of significant leadership experiences: on Tetepare (Solomon Islands), in Eastern Arrernte country (Central Australia) and – in partnership with The 3BL Group – in Kakadu (Northern Territory), on Cradle Mountain (Tasmania) and on the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia. We invite you to explore all of these on our website or contact us to learn more about these amazing opportunities.