Celebrating National Walking Month - How to integrate walking into your leadership
Did you know that May is National Walking Month? With longer and lighter evenings, May is the perfect time to integrate walking into our daily lives. Aside from this, walking is one of the easiest ways to improve our health, creativity and thinking. Research shows those “who are more connected with nature are usually happier in life and more likely to report their lives are worthwhile”.
With this in mind, as leaders, we have the opportunity to encourage our colleagues to embrace walking into their everyday lives to feel happier in their working lives too.
Where did my passion for walking in nature begin?
Throughout my childhood, nature was a prominent feature. I grew up in a mill town in West Riding of Yorkshire - not too far from where the TV series Happy Valley, Lang Tango in Halifax and Gentleman Jack were made. Although we didn’t live in the countryside, some of my happiest childhood times were visiting my father’s mother and her sister who lived in a cottage on a remote farm at weekends.
During the Spring season, we would walk through the fields and woods, where nature gave me the opportunity to run freely, breathe deeply and pick arms full of bluebells. My mother would identify flowers and different trees, allowing me to learn about the nature surrounding us. Whilst, in the autumn time, we would gather blackberries and blueberries.
It was during my teenage years where my passion for walking in nature really began. I always felt better and happier and would seek out nature wherever I was. Whether this be through an upstairs window, where I could see a glimpse of the hills - the sight of nature would lift my spirits, reassure and comfort me.
Within my adult life, I have always placed emphasis on spending time in nature , especially in the South Downs where I live. For this reason, I co-created Walking Partnerships with Lucy Kidd and Natalie Shering, to share our love of nature and specifically walking and talking, and our belief in the power of side by side conversations.
From being in conversation with guests on my podcast, Leaders in Conversation, I have been fortunate to speak with some wonderful leaders about their experience of nature and the power they believe it has in supporting reflection, happiness and joy.
I encourage you to listen to my podcast episode with Fi Macmillan - adventurer, coach, supervisor, entrepreneur and founder of Wild Leadership, as we speak about using nature and time outdoors to shift your perspective as a leader.
Also, the episode with Joao Perre Vana, Founder and Pioneer of Walking Mentorship. This episode delves into Joao’s love of walking and the impact of nature on finding your purpose.
And, as a final recommendation, I prompt you to listen to my episode with Tor Lawrence, former Chief Executive Officer of Sussex Wildlife Trust. A truly insightful conversation exploring the importance of speaking up for yourself in order to speak up for nature.
You can listen to all of these inspiring conversations, here.
How to integrate walking in nature into our daily lives
I am passionate about integrating walking into our lives and leadership, rather than scheduling assigned time for it. Personally, I seek ways to incorporate walking into my everyday rhythm, through my work and family time.
According to research by the University of Melbourne, movement helps our creativity and we do our best thinking when we are moving or walking.
So, what can leaders do to integrate walking into their everyday lives?
Be conscious of your time spent indoors. If I have been sitting down for more than an hour, I make time to go and stand outside and take a walk if I can.
Look for opportunities to integrate walking into your working schedule. Are you able to have 121 walking meetings? Could you encourage your team to opt for a group walking meeting?
Invest into your personal office space. I have a stand up desk which I use all of the time. Could you invest in a walking pad for your home office?
Within busy schedules, it can be difficult to make space to walk and think freely. Therefore, connecting with a fellow leader as a ‘Thinking Partner’ within a walking space can be a great way to create a ‘Thinking Environment’.
As a leader, you have the opportunity to encourage your colleagues to integrate walking into their routine. Invite your team to take time to walk in a park if they need to refocus or place deeper thought into your office days with your team, taking every opportunity to walk outside to encourage a boost in energy and focus.
Walking Partnerships
On the 20th June, myself, Lucy Kidd and Natalie Shering will be hosting our next Walking Partnerships day at Wiston Estate, West Sussex. At the height of summer, this day symbolises a turning point in the year and a chance to give thanks to ourselves and nature.
The focus of the day will be on exploring your truth, the things that ‘ring true for you about you’ and that resonate with others who know you. We will encourage leaders to reflect on their growth, before looking ahead at their hopes and intentions for the coming months.
If you’d like to join us on our next Walking Partnerships day on Tuesday 20 June at Wiston Estate in West Sussex to boost your wellbeing and business simultaneously, please get in touch with me via email.
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Are you interested in working together to harness the power of collaboration and conversation?
Get in touch with me via my website.
