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Walkshops

I listen to my clients. One day, a couple of years ago, a client said that I should a “workshop on the move”, a form of physical activity blended with leadership content. He said it might be called a “Walkshop.”

And so my Walkshop was born.

“The Walkshops gave our team a common ground for discussion and self­discovery.” – CIO

 

The Walkshop is a very exciting and unique learning opportunity for current or aspiring leaders. It combines brief reading, dialogue, and reflection with physical activity—hiking—and produces a lasting imprint on each participant.

I organize a Walkshop around a group of three to fifteen people. Sometimes they are from different organizations, sometimes from the same organization.

“It will stay with me for a long time to come.” – VP of Operations

 

My topical framework for the Walkshop is Major Change and Leadership. I’m not talking about little stuff—like whether I drink a brand or non-brand cup of coffee. I’m talking about big, big stuff—fundamental shifts in mission, organization, strategy, operations, technology, and more. It might relate to organization, work and career, or it might relate to something personal and family-oriented. Either way, I use “Major Change and Leadership” literally.

“His whole world was changing as he came down this street,right where you are walking and standing now.” – Dr. Daniel T. Miller

 

On a Walkshop you hike to places—sometimes famous, often totally unknown—in an unfolding story of a gripping event. You focus on these places and the symbolic moment in how a leader deals with change and helps his or her followers do the same.

The current sequent of Walkshops is about 1) processing, 2) executing, and 3) reflecting back on Major Change as a leader.  You receive a set of five takeaways from each of these three Walkshops.

“There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” – Aldous Huxley

 

Current Walkshop offerings:

Indianapolis (downtown) – Processing Major Change – Benjamin Harrison and the Day He Joined the Civil War in 1862

Indianapolis (downtown) – Executing Major Change – Benjamin Harrison and the Day He Returned from the Civil War in 1865

Indianapolis (downtown) – Remembering and Reusing Major Change – Twelve Years Later: Benjamin Harrison and the Day He Stopped a Riot in 1877

 

What Clients Can Tell You:

Chief Executive Officer of a Healthcare Organization: “For truly experiential learning, try a Walkshop! I had the wonderful experience of attending both Benjamin Harrison Walkshops. Lacing up for the “Walk” included a series of fascinating readings that were both gritty and kinetic – you’re seated right next to Harrison as he navigates his River [see Dan’s River metaphor] and encounters major events (whitewater) in his life as a husband, father, warrior, leader and legend. On the day of the event, Dan takes you back in time to retrace the steps that Harrison took. With a penchant for introspection, Dr. Miller guides you through the events of Harrison’s life while you look at your own in profound new ways.”

 

Vice President of a Commercial Real Estate Development Company: “Connecting the written history to actually walking the streets in the subjects steps brings an entirely new perspective to history and to leadership. Really more of an experience than a lesson. The details Dan brings as a result of his research makes all the difference. They don’t spend 2 hours studying 8 hours of history in college or school and I can tell you it’s an eye-opener for becoming a better leader.”

 

Chief Information Officer of a Community Services Organization: “I have participated in Dan’s “Major Change” Walkshops with my leadership team. The team building and the lessons have been a valuable step for our team, and our organization. The Walkshops gave us a common ground for discussion and self-discovery. They hit upon some of the most difficult topics that we face as a team but in a way that wasn’t threatening—the Walkshop is a creative and enriching safe ground for looking critically at ourselves.”

 

Vice President of a Healthcare Organization: “It felt like there were ghosts in the street. I couldn’t believe how fresh and real and right-now it all was. The email readings were amazing in taking us through the story. I’m still unfolding all of it in my mind. It will stay with me for a long time to come.”