Learning through Horse Riding.

Great Experience and A Great Learning from a Realistic Management to Management Lessons Learnt. True lessons learnt through Horse Riding Learning of “True Management” to “Management Lessons”.

Riding a horse gives me a sense of utmost freedom and a spirit of holding and controlling.

Controlling a Horse while riding gives a great feeling of accomplishment. It’s not so easy. Tough gets Tougher.

A Horse was allotted, at first, it was frightening – uncomfortable, more than frightening. This journey was solely in emotions. The horse guided along a solid uphill path, I was screaming when the horse took a brisk left turn and emerged into a world of uneven rocks, dense forest with closely-spaced trees with twisted roots, sudden water fall streams and slippery sludges.

Some reflections learnt from this Adventurous Journey to Baisaran Valley.

Reflection#1

Being A Good Listener to Your Coach:

Many times we don’t and these Listening Skills are absent in most of our systems. We are always in the confidence mode where we think we know everything. While we are doing it, actual experience starts and then we start to learn to be an expert. We can succeed if only we are a good listener.

Reflection#2

Learn Strong Basics:

Need to learn the basics thoroughly or else our entire approach will be wrong.

This is entirely the wrong approach or else over the journey the horse will pull you down.

Reflection#3:

Learn with the Flow:

Never over do.Learn with the flow.This is my experience. If we don’t follow, then we put all our stakeholders into trouble. It is very tough to maintain the same pace.Setting expectations with a focused approach.

Reflection #4:

Observation:

Observe from others. Look around,well and balance the posture. Observe others how they hold, how they move and how the feet are locked with horses.

Reflection #5:

Rhythm:

Move with the Rhythm. The most important skill in horse riding is rhythm. Right balance and Rhythm are the key to success.

Reflection #6:

Lean Forward & Lean Backward:

If you are not sitting straight and not in the centre, the horse coach keeps telling you to sit straight and don’t be afraid.Horses are respecting you. Sitting on the horse is my conscious decision, sometimes “FOMO” Fear of Missing Out. Horse Coach says be Confident, you will not fall. So is Management. No Leaders can afford to stoop (read crumble or lose balance) as he is managing his team or the result will be crash landing. That’s why Horse Coaches say be Balanced, Always Alert.

Reflection#7:

Hold the rope firm…else you may be in danger. We always maneuver with the rope, If we lose control or hold them back tight, the results will not be what we desire. So while riding the horse should know when to hold firm, when to let go and when to pull back.

Reflection #8

Connect with the horse. This is one of the biggest secrets to success. Knowing the pulse of the horse is very essential. This could be possible only if we stay connected with a horse.

Reflection#9:

Nudge or whip the horse when it slows down. Don’t hurt the horse. The key is to pass the message while the horse can listen. So is your success.

Reflection#10:

Need to understand when your horse is tired.Here the language is more important. At one point they refused to move, this is where they get tired. The horse coach said the horse is looking for water, appetite to eat and some rest.

Self Reflection#11:

The entire one way journey of 2 hours appears pleasurable and effortless. But we sweat and we fear falling down any moment, the horse might tumble and fall down right now.

Stop the blame game. Your confidence signal will show the sign of confidence to the horse. It will drive you carefully.