Its been over 2 weeks since one of the most amazing learning experiences of my life.  10 days disconnected from society learning intensely about teams – what makes them work, what makes them fail and what are my weaknesses as a team leader.

As I finally have a moment to myself to reflect on the experience…….

I am so grateful to the amazing six people in our team who generously gave gifts of honest feedback and support even when I was tired, grumpy and rather pathetic sometimes.

Disconnecting from society was the initial challenge, no contact with my husband, no reading the morning newspapers, my smart watch went flat on day 5 so not even anyway to tell the time.  Wifi withdrawal was intense and mini panic attacks through the day as I reached for my phone and couldn’t find it.

Combine the internet withdrawal with limited access to showers and flushing loos and a diet that consisted mainly of boiled white rice and I was way outside my comfort zone.

But the opportunity to get honest feedback from complete strangers was priceless.

I have learnt individual lessons that still need to be reflected on but most importantly, I have (finally) learnt that a team has to be a collective group of people who want the same thing.  The leaders ‘job’ is to pull that team together and manage the process of team building.

I can do that, I can build a team.

Thank goodness i have learnt that lesson in the sunny Kimberley’s in 10 days and not in the middle of winter in Antartica when no-one is talking to me or each other!!