The South African Leadership Retreat

Summer is the rainy season in the part of South Africa we’ll be in for November, so rain is very possible. The wettest time at the Lodge is in January and February. 

The November Retreat dates in South Africa are mid-Spring which is a great time to visit (Spring starts 22 September, and the Summer Solstice is 22 December). In general, the weather will be warm and sometimes hot during the day, and cool or cold in the evenings. As noted above, there may be rain. 

 All that said, in the six+ years we’ve been there, we’ve experienced changing weather patterns: hotter when warm, colder when cool, and more rain in general. We will provide you with a recommended packing list closer to the date, and can recommend a fleece and warm hat, a sun hat, and rain jacket; rain pants optional.

This is for you if you are the reflective, accomplished leader age 45+ who leads from the inside out — and is ready to explore what’s next. More specifically, this is for you if you are:

• reflecting on where you are in your life personally and/or professionally, and wanting to explore shifts and potential changes along with other humans with the same wish
• wondering about your legacy: are you doing what you feel matters deeply, making a meaningful and lasting difference, and will continue to have an impact after you are gone?
• recognizing that time is getting short to be in your fullest expression, and you want to explore what that means to you
• ready for a reset to your day-to-day, to leave behind what no longer serves, and embrace what is truly yours
• tired and maybe a little burnt out, and ready for a stimulating and supportive group experience in a beautiful, imperfect country full of vitality and contradictions

This is NOT for you if you are:

• under age 45 and/or don’t yet have a lot of life experience
• fully satisfied with your life exactly as it is
• not ready or willing to contemplate big or foundational questions about your life
• not interested in the mix of vulnerability and presence required to make this experience worth your while
• not ready for the complexity of travel to and within South Africa, or the personal, social, cultural and political issues that will likely come up

The Retreat is limited to 6 — intentionally small.

Six is large enough to bring rich diversity of experience to the circle, and small enough that every person is truly seen, heard, and held. You’ll be part of a close-knit, supportive group with ample space to connect deeply with yourself as well as your fellow retreaters.

This is not a leadership training program, and there is no curriculum to get through. What we do is richer and more personal than that.

Through facilitated group sessions, 1:1 coaching, and the experiences South Africa itself offers, we’ll explore the questions that matter most to you as a leader right now — including:

• What are my leadership values and ‘whys’?
• What kind of leader am I — and what kind do I aspire to be?
• What leadership do I want to express and embody in five years?
• What would it look like to lead — and live — fully aligned with what matters most to me?

We’ll draw on ubuntu, servant leadership, and adaptive leadership as lenses for exploration — not frameworks to master, but invitations to see yourself and your leadership more clearly. South Africa is an extraordinary teacher in this regard: the Apartheid Museum, the Origins Center, and the living ecosystem of the African bush each illuminate something about what it means to lead humans with courage, purpose, and integrity.

You’ll also learn from the five other accomplished leaders in the room — their experiences, perspectives, and reflections are part of the development. And you’ll leave with something concrete: a leadership and life plan with clear priorities and commitments to carry home.

Cost & What's included:

• $4,250 USD for 8 days/7 nights, including all meals and lodging, transportation, museum fees and tips during the Retreat, and South African wines at our farm & Lodge
• All the facilitated sessions and supportive coaching, as well as two 1:1 coaching sessions with me (one before the Retreat, and one during)

What's NOT included:

• Airfare to/ from South Africa, or transport within South Africa if you choose to arrive early and/or stay longer to explore
• Single room (supplement) at the Ivory Tree Safari Game Lodge if you don't want to share (all other accommodation is single room)
• Alcohol at the Safari Game Lodge

Payment & Plans

A $500 non-refundable deposit holds your spot, and you can choose one of the four payment plans below:

• One full payment of $4,250 USD (includes the $500 USD deposit)
• One payment of $500 USD followed by two/ 2 monthly payments of $1,875 USD
• One payment of $500 USD followed by five/ 5 monthly payments of $750 USD
• One payment of $500 USD followed by six/ 6 monthly payments of $625 USD

Let me know if you have another preferred payment approach or arrangement as I’m happy to create a bespoke payment plan!

You will need your valid passport. People with a passport from the US, Canada, the UK, most European Union countries, and Australia and New Zealand will receive a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival in the country. If you are from a country not listed above or need more specific information, Google (or Bing or Safari) will be your friend and help you.

For travel vaccinations, we suggest referring to the US Center for Disease Control regarding travel to South Africa. While travel can increase your risk of exposure to many diseases, we do not expect to be in situations where exposure to typhoid, meningitis, yellow fever, rabies, or polio are likely. If you plan to travel into the NE part of South Africa (northern Kruger National Park), an anti-malarial is recommended. Please decide for yourself what vaccines are appropriate for you especially if you are adding additional travel before or after the Retreat.

There will be a Retreat & Coaching Agreement and an indemnity document for you to sign once you've decided and made your first payment.

And last but not least, although the medical system in South Africa is typically very good, we highly recommend getting good travel insurance, including medical and evacuation coverage.

South Africa is at the southern end of the enormous continent of Africa. It is no small thing to get there, and also: so incredibly worth it.

Here's the scoop for flying into Johannesburg:

• From the UK/ Europe, a direct flight into Johannesburg will be between 10-12 hours long.There are many carriers with direct flights from major European cities into Johannesburg.
• From the US, there are a couple of direct flights: from Atlanta GA (on Delta) the flight is 16+ hours; from Newark, NJ (on United) or from JFK Airport (NY) the flight is 15+ hours.
• From Sydney, Australia, Qantas offers a non-stop to Johannesburg, which takes around 14 hours; there are plenty of carriers which fly from Sydney to Johannesburg with one stop with a total travel time of 20-25 hours (or more!).
• From Perth, Australia, there are many carriers, but all with one stop, with a total travel time of 20-25 hours (or more!)
• From Auckland or Wellington, New Zealand, there are many carriers, but all with at least one stop, most with 2 stops, and all with a fairly lengthy travel time.
• For all starting locations, don't overlook Emirates or Qatar Airways as potential carriers.

If you're thinking of going to Cape Town before the Retreat, many carriers fly from Europe directly into Cape Town. From the US, only United flies directly to Cape Town from Washington, DC. There are a handful of local carriers which fly the two hours from Cape Town to Johannesburg.

No, the costs of travel to and from South Africa is NOT included in the Retreat.

Also NOT included:

• Transport within South Africa if you choose to arrive early and/or stay longer to explore
• Single room (supplement) at the Ivory Tree Safari Game Lodge (all other accommodation is single room)
• Tips
• Alcohol at the Safari Game Lodge

Food in South Africa, and on this retreat in particular, will be fresh and tasty, with a variety of dishes, including "traditional" cuisine. South African cuisine is a delightful mix, including the meat- and potato-based diet of the Afrikaaner farmers (with Dutch, German and Huguenaut French origins), the curries and spices of those of Malay and Indian descent, and the corn meal, tomato sauce and meat meals of the Bantu tribes.

Breakfasts will typically include a choice of eggs, breakfast meat, toast, cereal, yogurt and fruit. Lunches will likely be sandwiches, with chips, fruit and cookies/biscuits. Dinners will have the most variety. Typical South African fare usually has a meat – often beef or lamb, but also chicken or pork – grilled.

While at our Lodge, you will enjoy a varied menu from our exceptional chef. We will ensure that fresh salads and cooked veggies are on offer, and there will be bread and tasty desserts at each meal. We will also offer a variety of South African wines so you can enjoy a glass or two with dinner.

A bit more specifically:

• In Johannesburg, our meals will be primarily restaurant-made, with a range of potential flavor profiles
• At the Ivory Tree Lodge, food is ordered off the menu at each meal, with 3-4 choices for each course; the choice is remarkable and delicious! (Note that alcohol is extra at the Ivory Tree Lodge.)
• At our farm, Mvemve GrootPoort Lodge, the food will be fresh and delicious, and prepared especially for us based on preferences and what’s in season

We will strive to accommodate your special dietary requirements, but it is best to reach out and chat about your needs. We can certainly accommodate a vegetarian diet; however we do not feel competent in providing a suitable vegan diet without discussion and input from you. Finally, for those with serious food allergies: we cannot guarantee that cross contamination will NOT occur at our Lodge or other venues.

Of all the questions about visiting South Africa or this retreat in particular, this is most frequently asked. International news often focuses on the occasional violent crime in the country, especially in the bigger cities. It does happen.

Importantly, you will be with us (my spouse and me) and always in a group whenever we are out and about, or in transport to/from various locations. Personally, we have never experienced crime directly, or felt at risk in South Africa.

All that said, traveling to other countries always involves some risk, especially if one stands out as a tourist. Such risk can be reduced by mindfulness about your surroundings at all times, as well as being thoughtful about jewelry, phones and other obviously expensive items.

South Africa is a large country – about twice the size of Texas and 3 times the size of California; it is twice the size of France and 5 times the size of the UK. We will only be traveling in a relatively small part of the country. The itinerary includes the places in and near Johannesburg and our Lodge that we believe reflect some of the beauty and complex richness of South Africa. We want you to experience these special places. The drive to/from Johannesburg to the Ivory Tree Lodge in the Pilansberg National Park is approximately 3 hours north, and the drive to/from Johannesburg to our Lodge is approximately 3 hours south.

Unless your spouse, partner or friend is ALSO signed up for the Retreat – which would be very welcome! - we strongly discourage having someone join you. (In fact, we haven't priced an option for that!). The Retreat is designed for you to get away from your day-to-day, and to create some spaciousness for your experiences and reflection. Having another person, who would NOT be in any of the activities with you, creates both a distraction for you and an additional expense and burden for logistics.

What an excellent idea! We’d be happy to help you consider your options, including staying longer at our Lodge. The jet lag can be tough on the way in, and there is SO much to see in South Africa. A visit to Cape Town and the wine country might be a perfect add-on or a visit to Kruger National Game Park for even more wildlife, or experience the Drakenberg rising to over 3000m or the desert of the Kalahari. You’d be best served by working with a travel agent to organize bookings if this is you. We would be happy to share with you our current knowledge of South Africa and the places we have explored.

First, you are invited to consider disconnecting as much as possible from your work, your socials, and even your family, IF you can do so in a way that feels “right” and intentional to you. (I am purposely not using the word “comfortable”!)

Consider this a gentle reminder that you’ve chosen this RETREAT to take time for yourself, to hear and listen deeply to what is calling to you and wanting attention, and you may not be able to do that fully while also checking in and keeping up with work, emails, social media, etc.

Second, South Africa sometimes experiences temporary rotating electric power outages, locally called ‘load shedding’. Cellular signal can be disrupted along with the power. You can expect some disruption in service throughout your stay, often for extended periods.

• You can purchase in country mobile data and telephone service either through your home country provider or upon arrival in South Africa.
• Be aware that there is no mobile signal at our farm where Mvemve GrootPoort Lodge is located.
• In Johannesburg, you will likely have cellular and WiFi where we are staying, but it is wise not to count on it!
• At Ivory Tree Lodge you’ll have WiFi if not cell service.
• At the Lodge, we typically don’t provide WiFi – which we access via satellite – to our guests. For the retreat, we plan to provide access to the WiFi for specific and limited periods during the time we are there. Our satellite internet lodge phone is always available to guests as needed or for emergency calls.

• The South African rand is currently approximately 18-19 Rand to the US dollar; 23-24 Rand to the British pound, and 20-21 Rand to the Euro. These are favorable exchange rates for visitors (not so much for the South Africans)
• The Rand is often reflected as ZAR, such as on the foreign exchanges. (ZAR is Zuid-Afrikaanse Rand, in Afrikaans, translated as South African Rand)
• The Rand came into existence as South Africa's currency when the country gained independence from Britain and became a republic in 1961, and is named after the Witswatersrand, where gold was first discovered, and which means 'white water ridge' in Afrikaans

Please invest thoughtfully and wisely as there will be no refunds.

I've got you! You can email me with any questions at [email protected], OR book in a Zoom chat with me.