Leadership, Strategy & Organizational Behavior: My Insights

The Healing Power of Nature: A Leadership & Workplace Lesson 🌿✨

Last week, I had the privilege of chaperoning my son's 3rd-grade field trip to Pigeon Point State Park, organized by the incredible Exploring New Horizons team. While this was a milestone trip for the kids, it turned out to be a transformative experience for me as an adult.
🚶‍♀️ We hiked through majestic redwoods
🐋 Spotted whales in the distance
🐘 Watched elephant seals basking on the shore
🦀 Explored tidepools, uncovering tiny ecosystems

But beyond the adventure, this trip was a powerful reminder of what we often forget in our fast-paced lives—the therapeutic benefits of nature. Stepping away from screens, emails, and the constant pull of technology gave me:
🌱 Mental clarity – A reset from daily stressors
🤝 Stronger community connections – Bonding with kids, educators & other chaperone parents
🔍 New perspectives – Learning from the curiosity of 3rd graders

This got me thinking—why don’t we prioritize this in our workplaces?

In organizational behavior, we talk about burnout, engagement, and productivity, but we often undervalue the role of nature in improving cognition, creativity, and mental resilience. Research shows that:
🌿 Time in nature reduces stress hormones and improves decision-making
💡 Walking in green spaces boosts creativity and problem-solving
🧘‍♂️ Disconnecting from technology fosters better focus and emotional well-being

As we celebrate human progress—AI advancements, AGI on the horizon, and hyper-connectivity—let’s not forget what has been available to us for FREE all along: NATURE. It is not just a personal reset but a leadership lesson—one that reminds us to step back, reflect, and create spaces for our teams to recharge.