This Is The Least Discussed (But Most Important) Topic In Trekking

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This Is The Least Discussed (But Most Important) Topic In Trekking

Category Collaborative Leadership Program Experiential Learning

By Swathi Chatrapathy

2018-09-27

Yesterday, Prof Sushil Kumar from IIM Lucknow visited our office in Bangalore. He is the ex-chairman of the PGP office. Basically the person who heads the MBA program of IIM Lucknow. He was instrumental in introducing our famous experiential learning program at his campus.

We have been running this program over the past 3 years for IIM Lucknow, 8 years for IIM Indore and 2 years for IIM Bangalore.

It is a much sought after program by the IIMs. Students earn credits for doing this program.

While we were detailing out this year’s program with Prof Sushil Kumar, a few chance remarks by him made us want to write this post.

Here’s what Prof. Sushil had to say.

It’s hard to disagree with Prof. Sushil.

Increasingly, we have noticed companiesprofessional institutions and even schools paying a lot of attention to experiential learning from the outdoors.

Professor Sourav should know. He has seen students getting into work right after their PGP course, but often ill-equipped for the working world.

Now, let’s get to the part where this Experiential Learning is relevant to you.

At Indiahikes, we feel every working professional must consider introducing an experiential learning program in their work area. Here’s why.

The database of the number of companies that work with us is big. Even our regular trekkers often come from modern age industries.

On the other hand, we have noticed that most organisations struggle to make teams work. There is tremendous inefficiency at work. The output is much lower than expected. Yet, everyone is working hard.

Most managers we have interviewed feel they don’t have the right team members. That with better recruitment they can have better efficiency. They are wrong.

The problem is that their teams don’t work well together. There is a general lack of cooperation and openness among team members (and with seniors).

This is where an experiential learning program comes into play.

Click on the image to view the Video

With carefully designed activities on a trek, we have seen a remarkable difference in how teams function. They are able to build more trust amongst themselves, set clear goals and overcome obstacles together.

We have seen this work for small and larger organisations. Sometimes it appears magical what a three or four day program for a team can do. But really, it is nothing fantastic.

A stint in the outdoors works on one’s mind, body and spirit in a big way. Next, we have the activities specially designed to reinforce these learnings. Through these, leaders emerge, teams function, efficiency grows.

The next time your company is thinking of sending teams out to a resort for a corporate outing, suggest an experiential learning program like ours to them. Not only will the team gain out of it, it will not cost anything more (It might cost lesser). But it could be a lot more productive than a party at a resort.

To read more about our company programs, head over here – https://www.indiahikes.com/elp/

If you would like to get in touch with the head of the Experiential Learning Team, then head over to this page – https://www.indiahikes.com/any-questions/.

If you have any questions, just drop in a comment below.

Swathi Chatrapathy

Chief Editor

About the author

Swathi Chatrapathy heads the digital content team at Indiahikes. She is also the face behind India's popular trekking video channel, Trek With Swathi. Unknown to many, Swathi also writes a weekly column at Indiahikes which has more than 100,000 followers.

A TEDx speaker and a frequent guest at other events, Swathi is a much sought after resource for her expertise in digital content.

Before joining Indiahikes, Swathi worked as a reporter and sub-editor at a daily newspaper. She holds a Masters's in Digital Journalism and continues to contribute to publications. Trekking, to her, is a sport that liberates the mind more than anything else. Through trekking, Swathi hopes to bring about a profound impact on a person's mind, body and spirit.