Why the outdoors is critical to leadership development
You don’t avoid the outdoors because you dislike it. You avoid it because it feels optional. And life is hard. But “imagine a therapy that had no known side effects, was readily available, and could improve your cognitive functioning at zero cost.” Are you listening?
There’s always another meeting. Another urgent Slack. Another spreadsheet to “just finish real quick.” So, you push the hike. Skip the run. Cancel the weekend trip.
Until one day, you wake up foggy, reactive, and wondering why your big ideas feel so small. Do you ever feel that sense of "quiet desperation" you read about?
The Real Issue
We are not built for a 24/7 drip of notifications* and recycled office air. Brains - and leadership - run on clarity, resilience, and perspective. The outdoors isn’t a luxury. It’s the reset your leadership can’t get from a corporate offsite.
I have personally rebranded notifications to interruptions. Do you want to enable interruptions for our App? Uh, hell no.
Let’s break it down.
1. Nature boosts your brain by 20 %
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that a 50-minute walk in nature (vs. a city walk) improved memory and attention by nearly 20 % (Berman, Jonides & Kaplan, 2008). That’s a measurable edge from something your calendar currently treats as “optional.”
2. Forests drop your stress chemistry
According to a 2019 meta-analysis, Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing or “visiting a forest and breathing the air) measurably lowers cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone (Antonelli, Barbieri & Donelli, 2020). This isn’t just “feeling more relaxed.” It’s reducing the chemical load that fuels reactivity, poor decisions, and burnout.
3. Creativity spikes when Wi-Fi dies
Four days in the wilderness (no devices) delivered a 50% boost in creative problem-solving (Atchley, Strayer & Atchley, 2012). That’s not “fresh ideas.” That’s the difference between leading on autopilot and leading with vision. It takes a few days, not just putting your phone in Brick mode.
4. Green movement heals the mind
“Green exercise” (physical activity outdoors while being directly exposed to nature, especially pleasant scenes) lifts mood, reduces anxiety, and eases symptoms of depression (Pretty et al., 2005). You can’t show up as the leader your team needs if you’re mentally running on fumes.
5. Outdoor immersion builds leadership muscle
Outward Bound’s own evaluations show participants leave with stronger empathy, self-awareness, self-regulation, and teamwork skills (Outward Bound Impact Report, 2021). They’ve been proving this with students – outdoor environment plus work fuels leadership development.
6. Adventure therapy works
A meta-analysis of adventure therapy programs found significant gains in psychological well-being and resilience (Bowen & Neill, 2013). Men need more than conversation to grow. They need challenge, movement, and environment.
TL;DR: Outdoors comes first
If you want sharper thinking, steadier leadership, and a bigger vision, start with the outdoors.
Not another panel discussion. Not another strategy deck. Not another meeting.
Trees. Trails. Time away from the noise.
Start here:
Schedule nature like you schedule your board meetings.
Go beyond “walks” - immerse for days, not minutes.
Make it physical. Let your body lead your brain.
Leave devices off. Yes, all of them (but we’ll let you use your Garmin).
Treat the outdoors as training, not vacation.
The leaders who step outside don’t just come back rested. They come back different.
💬 Want to experience this for yourself? In October, we’re taking a small group of men to Bryce Canyon for three days of backcountry hiking, coaching, and clarity. Learn more here or DM me.
Mike R. Sweeney
If you found this post valuable, please share it far and wide so others can benefit. If you want to think about investing in some coaching, shoot me a note @mikesweeney @sabercoaching.com. Maybe we can co-create some clarity and get you moving closer to the island you want to sail towards!