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RESULTS (PAX, STAFF, FILM, FINANCE) STAFF EVALUATIONS

The program seemed high impact to all the staff involved and had the traditional, powerful elements of Outward Bound; personal challenge and the requirement to work as an effective, compassionate team. The inputs of leadership principles were particularly relevant for this well educated and reflective group of emerging leaders.

Mark Gerzon Evaluation

1. The quality of each of our contributions: GLN on global leadership and OBI on experiential education
2. The degree of support and synergy between them, and how the wilderness experience reinforced and strengthened the learning of the global leadership tools (see below for some reservations)
3. The choice of location and community involvement, particularly the degree to which the trekkers were made aware of the complex social, economic and cultural "systems" which made their experience possible.

Improving the program, I believe, would involve further strengthening each of these components:

1. Now that we have experienced the pilot program, I think each and every one of us could improve our own individual contributions. I know I can strengthen the GL component for the next pilot.
2. I believe we could now integrate the GL and OBI elements more fully, making the model more seamless and more effective
3. I believe we can not time the community involvement piece more wisely, and make it fit in with the other two pieces more creatively.

Edvan Loh Evaluation

Clearer role specification among the OB staff and the Tanzanian guides? Personally I felt our chief guide and his assistants, apart from Baltazar, slacked a little during the descent from the mountain.

There could be closer integration of the 8 tools with the OB learning methods if we had a little more time beforehand. I think if we can draw out the key points of the 8 tools experientially, it potentially can accelerate the group's grasp and understanding of them.

Perhaps a more achievable peak experience can be chosen in future to increase the participants' success level. While we did get a big percentage of our team on the summit and the tough conditions made the learning experience that much more intense, in future we could try to choose a mountain of about 5000m or less, or a sailing expedition, or something slightly more achievable.

Kristen Murray Evaluation

Although was good to have lots of staff, too many staff and it makes it harder for participants/staff to decide who to go to for what issue, who is in charge of what aspect of the course. We tried to clearly define this, but there was a lot of room for movement. This seemed to lead to role problems with the local guides as well while we were on the mountain.

The community link with the program I consider essential for the program, great for the participants to start putting the Leadership concepts into practice. We should be careful how this is followed up to keep this aspect meaningful for the participants.

Bob Box Evaluation

1. Primary strengths were those found on any good Outward Bound course:
• skilled staff
• well coordinated expedition
• personal impact on participants
• interpersonal contact and team-building
• participants sense of accomplishment
• beautiful and impelling course environment
• course reflected Outward Bound's mission and values
2. The broad mix of international participants. An eclectic collection of cultures, viewpoints, and personal histories generated an almost spontaneous combustion of energy and interaction.
3. Ian's leadership. His experience managing more than a dozen previous Kilimanjaro expeditions was central to the pre-planning and smooth operation of this trip. It was still a challenging management task. Ian's non-stop energy, big-picture perspective and constant attention to every detail of the operation ensured its success.
4. Mark and Kimani's teaching and interpersonal skills. The same skills that were central to the course design of the two-day GLP workshop, were personally demonstrated and seamlessly integrated into the climb. This aspect - living the course concepts and message - was by far the strongest interface between the workshop and the expedition.
5. The program lived up to its stated mission. Participants did indeed, "... overcome wilderness challenges on a powerful experiential expeditionary program and explored a global leadership framework as they looked deeply at the issues and challenges they face as leaders personally, globally and on Kilimanjaro."
6. The success of the Kilimanjaro community participants - National Park representatives, Outfitters Association, guides' representative, porters' support group and others - in the post expedition follow-up meeting was truly remarkable. That they were able to come together on a common issue, commit to solving it, make preliminary plans and schedule follow-up meetings was the most concrete example of the program being applied in a real world setting.

Deltas

1. Participant selection. The majority of the participants were exactly as advertised: "leaders who possess an appreciation of international human diversity, increased ability to collaborate and resolve issues and a sense of responsibility to provide service to all world citizens." Not all would fit that definition, however, either because they did not seem to possess a 'sense of responsibility to provide global service' or they were of limited skill to do so. English language limitations for two participants hindered full engagement in discussions.
2. The GLP workshop had a relaxed agenda that could have had greater intellectual intensity and depth. More time (yes, longer hours and shorter lunches) devoted to the "eight tools" would have been helpful. My sense from the participants was that some of the content was already familiar with the concepts in a general sense, but that they would have benefited from getting deeper into the ideas and their applications.
3. Was it an Outward Bound Course or a Guest Expedition? It had qualities of both and at times seemed to fluctuate back and forth. I observed this being sometimes awkward for the instructors as they seemed to get mixed signals on structure and process. To that end, Ian was a continuous dynamic force at every juncture keeping the expedition on track. There was a need at times for greater clarity on the role and interface with Transkibo guides.
4. Participant Screening - Medically, participants were screened appropriately and no major health issues were tied to pre-existing conditions. Physically, there was a wide range of strength and cardiovascular abilities. For one participant, it became quickly apparent they were not physically capable of the climb. The pre-course information could have given greater import to the need for prior conditioning, or a different program environment selected with lesser physical demands.

Most Important
Keeping in mind that this was a BETA test version, it was incredibly successful!!! Given the newness of the concept and the complexity of the design, I would have expected many more stumbling points and unfulfilled components. The Global Leaders Program and Outward Bound International were a good fit and delivered a strong program. I have no doubt that having gone through this first test, the next round will be even stronger, more fully integrated and a continued success.

Kimani Njogu Evaluation

I thought we could have done more with helping individuals explore ways of dealing with the conflicts in their regions. I also think that during the selection process we may have missed some people who would have added value to the Workshop. I enjoyed working with OBI for the first time and I learnt from you all.

PARTICIPANT REFLECTIONS AND EVALUATIONS

1. What made being part of a global leadership experience unique for you?

Everyone is new to the other - have to examine all assumptions.
—Suleiman

Awareness is heightened we can't go on automatic. Realize that none of us has a single identity; all of us have a multiplicity of selves.
—Marc Andre

Heightened inquiry required, we must explore more deeply to understand than if everyone were from their own country.
—Kristina

Finding similarities is as powerful as finding differences. gives me hope.
—Ping

Mutual understanding is more challenging than in a homogenous group. Each of us has to transform much faster. Homogeneous friendship is easier but not as meaningful.
—Andrei

I realize the difference between being a commander and being a leader. I never knew a Muslim before today. There is much misunderstanding in the world and now I am finally beginning to understand. Even though I don't talk good English other people still listened to me. They have patience and desire to understand.
—Naread

2. Which tool did you find most useful?

Though all the tools were useful, I found the tool of inquiry very useful. Because through asking a lot of questions, we could open different angles of the situation and I understood the way to take steps forward.
—Said Azeem

Systems Thinking-to see a big picture not just a small piece. And stand on higher position to think. That's very important for a global leader.
—Ping-Hwan

I found the most useful tool integral vision as all conflict emanates, in my opinion, from not seeing the whole picture or understanding the others perspective.
—Marc-Andre

I think dialogue is the most useful because dialogue is the way to open our mind. If we don't have the dialogue we can't make the innovation and we don't have the new solution that is necessary for a new era.
—Col. Naread

Presence. The exercise I was involved in helped me better understand why I sometimes struggle with presence and showed me a way to deal with it.
—Dale Marie

3. How would you rank the usefulness of the workshop (1-10)?

The experience was wonderful. We got the tools, which empowered me to achieve my leadership mission. So I give (Score 10) for this interaction.
—Said Azeem

Very skillful and easy to understand, but I still need more time and opportunity to change myself. (Score 7)
—Ping-Hwan

I rate it (Score 9) at this point and potentially a 10 by the end. The group mix and dynamics provided interesting grounds for inquiry and perspective.
—Don

(Score 9) I found the tools useful and the frame was a good way of thinking about how I could go about achieving my mission. I also found listening to the stories and insights from the other members of the group invaluable.
—Kristina

4. What did you want more or less of?

I wanted more about developing our missions. But considering the time frame it was well organized.
—Said Azeem

More practice, more case study! Thanks for your knowledge and good facilitation.
—Ping-Hwan

I think the key is the cultural mix of the group. The diversity is critical to the broadening of thought.
—Marc-Andre

I would spend less time on the first two constructs and more on bridging and innovation as they result in real solutions that people can take home and implement.
—Jill

I'd like more time in break out groups. And that each time we come back we hear one person's report not from everyone.
—Ping

5. Overall Assessment

I believe that this workshop will give me the opportunity to learn ways of dealing with conflicts in my province. My country has had numerous conflicts and we need new approaches to deal with them. The theme of the workshop is ideal for us and that is why I came. I was not worried about anything until I saw Mt. Kilimanjaro from the plane. It was above the clouds! I hope I am physically ready. I need to be psychologically prepared.
—Don

I came because for two reasons. Firstly, the theme of the workshop emphasized diversity. I believe in diversity and I would like to learn about leadership in a world that has many challenges. Second, it's Mt. Kilimanjaro. I am interested in nature and the expedition is a great thing for me.
—Marc Andre

My country has many difficulties. It is a country in conflict. I can learn ways of dealing with the conflict in Afghanistan. The theme of the workshop was perfect for my situation. That is why I came. I had no anxieties except that my family worried about my beard. The beard makes me stand out. When I got to India, I was questioned for a long time. They wanted to know why I was in India and where I was going. Being isolated from other passengers worried me especially because there was a bomb scare only the other day.
—Azeem

I think I gained a lot from the workshop. It will improve my leadership skills and I will be able to perform better in my work. The theme of global leadership is very important for China. China needs to start thinking about increasing the workers awareness of global events. It is ready for this kind of workshop and I will be taking back the knowledge I gain.
—Ping-Hwan

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