It’s Here! Research Supporting Professional Development with Horses
“The horses. . . without speaking a word, spoke so loudly.”
Life-changing. That’s the type of professional development experiential learning with horses provides. As the only business in Iowa offering this service, we set out to research the tangible impact of off-site, guided leadership experiences.
In August, the first article in this series revealed our ‘why.’ It referenced the research made possible by Wright Service Corp. LEAD Program participants with guidance from Carol Heaverlo, Ph.D.
In September, the second article illustrated the quantitative research results. It captured the clear and powerful value to infusing kinesthetic (tactile) learning that involves physical activity and multisensory learning that integrates the five senses (how humans understand and perceive the world).
This month, we’re humbled to share the qualitative data supported by quotes, comments, and testimonials from research participants.
Few of God’s creatures are as noble and soul-stirring as horses. For them, the way we show up physically and emotionally says so much—so much that our words can’t be heard.
In times of complexity, rapid change and instability, horses and nature help us blend external realities with:
Moment-to-moment self-awareness
Becoming focused and mentally present with others
Our God-created need for meaningful relationships
As you’ll hear from one LEAD Program participant, what’s revealed to us by the horses through hands-on activities can be otherwise difficult to receive from co-workers or other people.
There’s something about the way horses reflect to us what we bring into workplace relationships that calls us into a more accepting space.
Qualitative Results
Following are two forms of qualitative results from the study. First is a word cloud to demonstrate the words most often used by participants as they described their professional development experience. The larger the word, the more frequently it was used.
Second, there are quotes, comments and testimonials from participants describing how they are applying what they learned, including a quote from one of the LEAD program’s executive sponsors.
Word Cloud
This word cloud below depicts responses from research participants. The more prominent the word, the more frequently it was used to describe their professional development experience.
Quotes, Comments and Testimonials
Participants describe how they are applying what they learned, including a quote from one of the LEAD program’s executive sponsors.
“It was such a life-changing experience. As a lifelong horsewoman, I didn’t think there would be much to gain from the various activities. However, working with the horses at fullCIRCLE revealed something in myself that I would probably not accept from people.
Now that I’m back in my workplace, and because of my experience at fullCIRCLE, I’m focusing on that human level of connection by being more present in conversations and meetings.
I’m tearing down the walls of self-protection by remembering that to be without vulnerability is to be without leadership. I’m allowing myself the grace to fail and becoming the person I want to be.”
“The horses. . . without speaking a word, spoke so loudly. They put everybody – with our diverse skill sets from seven sister companies – on the same level of discomfort and vulnerability.
Nearly a year later, I more clearly see how the experience offers a chance for people to open their own (mind) vault. You show up as yourself; you leave as yourself – just more effective.
And you’re equipped to check yourself and creatively solve whatever situation shows up in your workspace with those you’re leading.”
“Several of our leaders have plans to return with their own team because of the profound impact the fullCIRCLE experience had on them and the value they see in this type of approach. Individuals were able to see leadership in a new light.
Rare is the experience that can so strongly influence such a diverse group of people: Courage in the face of fear, deep personal introspection, reflection, overwhelming joy, personal peace and demonstrated love.”
According to the research, when teams intentionally slow down for a kinesthetic and multisensory professional development experience:
1. Your team will gain clarity about how it thinks and works.
2. Your company will discover a long-term benefit from its investment.
3. Best of all – everyone is pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable the experience is.
As the study illustrates, companies investing in their employees are seeing people and teams transform. When your team works with our trained horses and each other, trust builds, collaboration improves, and life-changing development occurs. The result is growth for your people and your organization.
What does that mean for you? You have a trusted partner with an ideal blend of business experience, training and coaching that empowers you to run a thriving professional development program. You will get results, serve your people and have confidence in the future of your organization’s teams.
