Building Resilience Together

Over the past 10 years, I have been deep in the Austrian Alps with one of my best friends Hans Bruns guiding teams through an amazing experience: building igloos and spending the night in them. Originally a basic winter adventure, this activity has evolved over time into a serious exercise in resilience for the participants as well as for us. When I think back on these trips, I see how creating an igloo connects with some of the most basic components of both ecological and personal resilience.

The act of building cover from snow has unquestionably great power. Positive psychology research reveals that resilience is about confronting adversity head-on and seizing chances for personal development rather than about dodging difficulty. Building an igloo calls for this precise attitude. Although participants are pushed outside their comfort zones in demanding, strange surroundings, it is via this discomfort that development occurs.

From what I know, the process reflects important facets of what psychologists term as "adaptive resilience." Research indicates that igloo-building is the ideal kind of resilience—what researchers sometimes refer to as "stress inoculation"—and that resilience is mostly developed by encountering modest, controllable stresses. Participants in the physical exertion, the cold, and the mental difficulty of building something steady from snow must interact with their stress, adapt to it, and grow from it. This is consistent with studies by the American Psychological Association, which emphasizes the need of carefully managed challenge exposure in building resilience.

Still, the advantages go beyond personal level. Building an igloo calls for cooperation that develops emotional resilience as well. Harvard studies on resilience in groups have found that developing better teams depends critically on mutual support and collective problem-solving. Teams have come together in ways they never would have expected—lifting each other's spirits, working through issues together, and commemorating their achievement once the igloo is at last constructed.

This event in many respects captures my own Elemental Inner Development concept. I think one should learn from nature, hence building something as elemental and natural as an igloo is the best approach to do so. Building an igloo helps you to reconnect with the most basic aspects of life: soil, air, water (in the form of snow), and the fire inside yourself to finish the work. You are not only building a shelter.

This procedure has natural wisdom that fits my approach of developing my model. An igloo calls for the harmony of mind (problem-solving), body (physical endurance), heart (team connection), spirit (confidence in something greater), and guts (courage to endure discomfort). Every block of snow represents the components of resilience we have to develop within of ourselves, just as each piece of the jigsaw.

Building igloos emphasizes a deeper ecological lesson about resilience in addition to the psychological and personal advantages. Resilience is a fundamental quality of natural ecosystems as well as a human quality. Ecological resilience, then, is the capacity of an ecosystem to tolerate and rebound from disruptions, just as we people learn to do from adversity.

Building with snow reminds us of the cyclical character of resilience in ecosystems since it is a natural and temporary resource. We are using what the surroundings offer when we construct these igloos, without permanently changing anything. The igloo will finally melt, bringing the snow back into its natural cycle and showing how always changing and renewing nature is. This is consistent with what ecologists refer to as "regenerative resilience"—that which allows ecosystems to not only bounce back but also adapt over time.

Often as I guide groups through this experience, I consider how the igloos themselves fit into the resiliency narrative of the earth. Climate change is posing difficulties for the Alps as for many ecosystems. Still, nature adapts in her own unique manner; by submerging ourselves in these wintry settings, we join in that narrative. Resilience is about adaptation, growing, and discovering fresh approaches to flourish—both for people and the surroundings—not only about recovering.

Building igloos is a technique that helps us to see the connection between our inner resilience and the resilience of the natural world, not only a hobby. Studies reveal that time in nature improves mental and emotional health especially in demanding surroundings. Studies from the University of Derby show that resilience and life satisfaction can be much improved by means of a connection with environment. It is not coincidental that participants often leave this experience not just with a sense of success but also with a closer relationship to the surroundings and to themselves.

Looking back over the last ten years, I see how making igloos has molded my own path in resiliency. The teams and we deal with fresh hurdles every year—different weather, group dynamics, and physical obstacles—but every year we adjust and discover fresh approaches to achieve. Resilience, then, is really about the capacity to adapt to whatever life (or environment) presents and come out stronger, more linked, and more conscious.

Building an igloo ultimately is far more than just a winter excursion. This is a trip into the center of our resilience as humans. It's about learning to adapt, to collaborate, to go beyond discomfort, and to reestablish connection with the wisdom of nature and in the end having fun in the snow.

This event is for anyone to have fun, wishing to create stronger teams, foster resilience, and really connect with nature, not only for adventurers or outdoor aficionados. I have personally seen over the last ten years how companies who venture beyond the conventional boardroom and into the outdoors gain from this unusual experience. Constructing an igloo together promotes teamwork, creative problem-solving, and perseverance—all skills vital in the hectic corporate environment of today.

Therefore, I welcome you to join us in Austria for an amazing trip whether you are a team leader or company executive seeking a really transforming winter experience. One snow block at a time, come develop your resilience and learn lessons that will be much valued outside of the winter.