White Water Rafting Trip - Are You In?

When I was fifteen my youth group went white water rafting on the Youghiogheny River in the Laurel Valley of Pennsylvania. When you go down the Yough, you do it with guides, because there are dangers in the rapids, and you need that knowledgeable person to get you down river safely.

Before every set of rapids, the guide pulls over all the rafts and explains what is ahead and how to handle it. “Paddle hard left as you approach that rock, if you don’t paddle left, you will enter the rapid at the wrong angle and you may flip”. (We only flipped once because we thought it would be fun NOT to listen to the guide - we listened after that!)?

My trip down the river and the insights of the guide made me think about the importance of anticipating the rapids ahead and having critical guides. We have a lot happening in the world, our country our industries that have the potential to create some wild CLASS 5 rapids.

Because I work to build more resilient teams, the last thing I want is for a team to miss the potential threats ahead. I don’t want anyone falling out of the raft.

Here are a few of the questions that I use to help teams better anticipate and prepare for the rapids ahead:

Identify the Rapids:What potential challenges or "rapids" do you foresee in our journey ahead, and how can we prepare to navigate them effectively as a team??

Paddle in Sync:In a rafting team, synchronized paddling is crucial. How can we ensure that our team stays aligned and communicates effectively during times of disruption?

Embrace the Flow:Just as a river can be unpredictable, disruptions can take us by surprise. How can we develop the flexibility to adapt to changes and make quick decisions in fast-moving situations?

Rescue Strategies:In white water rafting, it’s important to know rescue techniques in case someone falls overboard. What strategies can we implement to support each other and maintain team morale when things get tough?

Celebrate the Adventure:Every rafting trip has its highs and lows. How can we celebrate our successes and learn from our challenges to build resilience and prepare for future adventures?

Consider addressing these questions at your next team or leadership meeting. And if you want to go deeper, why don’t we hop on a call and talk about a leadership retreat for your team.?

With joy,

Kathy

Kathy Parry helps teams stay resilient through disruptions and energized with joyful purpose.

Contact Kathy to schedule your next workshop/leadership retreat or keynote?412-427-1137

www.KathyParry.com [email protected]