The Foundation Of Confidence and Company Culture Is Strengthened Through Wisdom Of Horses

Gallup states that trust is the number one reason people loyally follow a leader. 

As a sales and marketing director in various industries in my previous life, I knew that people needed to know, like and trust our products and service to keep coming back.

When I began studying horses, the first and foremost principle I learned in regard to working successfully with them was trust. They have to trust you to willingly and quickly move with you.

But notice – all of these scenarios are outward focused. It involves “other.”

The most important area of trust is - DO YOU TRUST YOU? Trust is the foundation of confidence.

Confidence is nothing more than trusting yourself to handle whatever comes your way...even when you don't know what to do.

The thing about horses and humans is that humans are much like horses in that both are herd animals, and need to trust you before they follow wholeheartedly. When I reference horses, I am meaning whether you are working with them on the ground or from the saddle, whether you know what you are doing or not.

I lost Chief, my BHF (Best Horse Forever) last year. He and I had the most beautiful and cohesive relationship based in trust. He knew I was trustworthy in always keeping him safe, being fair in my ask, and never abusing him.

I trusted him to not try to unload me and believe me, if a 1200 pound animal wants you off of his back, he will get you off of his back. I trusted him to get us out of rough patches as we had been through many on the trail adventures over the eleven years we were together. I was the only rider allowed on him with the few exceptions of the trainer riding him for instruction purposes on rare occasion.

This trusting relationship didn’t happen overnight and I had to undo experiences from the past he had experienced before I came along. I knew his history.

I recently acquired three new horses on my team and am intrigued as I watch the process of trust unfold with them. I can see it in their eyes, in their behavior, that they are learning they can trust. They are finding their place in my herd.

Like humans, they have their own personalities.

Maverick came from a completely unknown background, but what I can tell you is that he doesn’t trust easily. He has experienced some unkindness from humans and it will take time for us to really mesh. I am encouraged as he now comes to me in the pasture and likes to walk to the barn with me most evenings. All good signs that trust is evolving. Who on your team is a little skiddish to engage? They need more trust.

Ace comes from a positive background of various riders and brings much confidence and curiosity with him. I was able to ride him from the start and can tell he is much like Chief. He engages new things right away and gives it his all. He trusts me and I know we will one day meet a challenge where he will have to lean into that trust in me even more. Who do you know like this on your team? Keep building the trust with them so when the day comes where they don’t know, they trust you to help them through it.

Hope Fire is a young horse and she is confident in her curiosity. A good sign. She is smart and figures things out quickly, but because she is so young and inexperienced, I have to bring a lot of support and encouragement to our work together. She can spook easily when she doesn't understand and I have to be patient in her learning process. She will also test my boundaries to be sure I am still confident in being her leader. Who on your team is like this? Remember a centered, calm and patient demeanor is a must for this person. Be clear on the parameters of their position. This gives a sense of security.

At the end of the day, you have to trust you the most. You have to be prepared with knowing what to do when you don’t know what to do.

Trust is about being consistent, reliable and fair, even with yourself.

Instead of beating yourself up for "screwing things up:"

·   Shift focus to what you learned from the experience.

·   Find and retain resources that support growth in yourself and others.

·   Surround yourself with people that inspire and hold you accountable.

·   Back track to figure out what happened before what happened happened.

When Chief and I were in the early development phase of our relationship I had to constantly establish trust with myself. Like the people on your team, he would know if I didn’t trust myself and there were times that I didn’t. My confidence in communicating with him wasn't where it needed to be for more fluidity in my riding. I had to fall back on the knowledge of my trainer to help me understand first what Chief was communicating to me and then HOW to communicate what I was wanting.

The same is true in leading your people.

Isn’t this the way it is in leadership?

We have all found ourselves frustrated with the people (including ourselves) in our lives.

With all the parallels of horses and humans, it is no wonder why we partner leaders with horses in equine assisted learning and equine assisted coaching. This process allows wisdom of the horses to guide and sharpen leadership skills in humans. They are brilliant at this work. There is no riding, all work done from the ground and no knowledge of horses needed to have a breakthrough and build strong strategy for your leap to freedom.

Think about this:
Do you trust / have confidence in yourself to effectively cause the movement you want in your company, both in your people and the dynamics like marketing, money, time and client flow?

Do you have someone that can help you cause the movement you want?

Developing a relationship with horses is parallel to developing a relationship with your team and your clients.

Trust takes time and energy to gain and can be wiped out easily and quickly.

Leadership is about causing movement in the direction you wish to go. Blaine Bartlett calls it “Co-Creating Coordinated Movement.”

  You have to be:
Consistent
Confident
Willing to ask for help and course correct when things go south.

We would love to help you co-create some coordinated movement in your life and business.

Check out the upcoming 48 Hour Money Breakthrough for leaders.  https://www.7figurebusinessowner.com/48-hour-money-breakthrough

AND

Get a complimentary no obligation consultation. Email me CoachLora@Zero2SixtyCoach.com.

Or go to the home page of www.Zero2SixtyCoach.com and follow prompts to schedule.