The (Un)Learning Academy: How to navigate your always uncertain future.

You’ve made it. You’ve navigated to the top of your company tree. You figured out how to be personally, organisationally and commercially successful - you worked hard, and delivered on it.

Yet…

It can feel punishing. Working ever harder. Pulled ever tighter between (other people’s) competing demands. Continually fielding stupid questions. Leaving you less strong and borderline unwell. Or worse; seriously ill. A road ahead somewhat tiring and uninspiring. At what cost to your relationships, your health and wealth?

 

The old rules increasingly don’t apply.

 

We live and work in a world moving ever faster, increasingly complex and less predictable, in equal measure. And here’s the thing: Everything that made you successful for Act I (the journey to your success today) might be costing you opportunity for your Act II.

This is why I’ve created the (Un)Learning Academy.

You’ll be joined on the (Un)Learning Academy with up to 14 other founders, leaders, visionaries from around the world. You’ll blend practical skills, radical self-inquiry and shared experiences to enhance your leadership, resiliency, adaptability, insight and wisdom - and change-ability.

The (Un)Learning Academy is a place to embrace not knowing and letting go of the controls. This isn’t about meeting rooms and flip charts. It’s about being in and learning from nature, and each other.

The goal is to point you back to a way of working and thinking which allows for adaptable, resilient, inspiring and joyful work. Because the adaptable, resilient and inspiring leader makes for an adaptable, resilient and inspiring company.

Who is it for?

Leaders, founders, visionaries running international businesses - who recognise that the old ideas and ways of working might be costing you a thriving future. You might be teetering on the edge of the next big career move, or leading in the complexity of a messy transition, or your work or company losing relevance.

Attendance by Application Only.

What We’ll Do (Rough Schedule)

Day One - Pick up: You’ll be collected from a train station in Somerset and taken to the retreat location, specific address will remain undisclosed beforehand. You’ll hand in your phone.

2pm on 4th July, Begin With An Ending:

  • Meet and greet.

  • Orientation.

  • Intention.

  • Facilitated Session: The power of your story. Begin with an ending.

  • Personal Reflection

  • Dinner, drinks. Guest speaker.

Day Two - Your Messy Middle

  • Personal Writing

  • Breakfast

  • Facilitated Group - embrace the messy middle, lost in your middle.

  • Lunch

  • Activity

  • Personal Reflection

  • Dinner, drinks, guest speaker.

Day Three - End With A Beginning.

  • Personal Writing

  • Breakfast

  • Facilitated Group - Your Final 20 Years.

  • Lunch

  • Session: Endings. To begin.

  • 4pm close.

Additional 121 opportunities with the retreat leaders available throughout.

Some Of What You’ll Get

Whilst promises and guaranteed outcomes are the stuff of Act I, you’ll learn the principles of the 'inside out' leadership model, LeanMind™️. This will help you:

  • Work less to increase impact

  • Control less to achieve more

  • Thrive in the always changing, increasingly ambiguous and uncertain context in which you work.

The Elephant In The Room.

These days together are a re-frame.

You'll not (necessarily!) pivot your company or career. Or turn your back on your responsibilities.

But you'll crack a light on what you're doing and why.

And in so doing you'll learn how to hold the responsibilities of leadership more lightly, lending you a more nimble hand on the tiller. And where you go, your company and teams follow; lighter, freer, more adaptable to always changing commercial and personal circumstances. This is how you’ll leave.

…most importantly, you’ll get the support and friendship of leaders, like you, atop their organisations keen to weave insight, joy and impact into their Act II.

Your Host And Guide - Ben Johnson, read about me here. Additional teachers to be confirmed.

When?

July, 2024.

Where?

Undisclosed location. UK.

How much?

For this first retreat £5,000.

Attendance is by application only. If this is for you, email here and we’ll begin the application process.

What Next?

If you’d like to be considered for a place, and to learn more about the LeanMind™️ leadership model, email us here: UnLearning Academy.