Navigating the Wilderness of Power: Lessons from 20 Years of Outdoor Leadership with Karuna Project

Twenty years of guiding expeditions and teaching outdoor leadership has provided a fascinating, and often challenging, laboratory for observing and navigating power dynamics.

The wilderness, it turns out, is a microcosm of broader societal structures, revealing the subtle and overt ways power manifests.

In our instructional teams, a hierarchical structure is initially established: Course Leader (CL), Patrol Leader (PL), and Instructor (I). This structure, while necessary for decision-making in high-stakes environments, presents a constant exercise in balancing authority with collaboration.

While the CL holds ultimate responsibility, the true art of leadership lies in fostering a shared sense of ownership. This mirrors a fundamental truth: power is most effective when distributed, not hoarded.

The dynamics within the group often serve as a mirror to my own internal relationship with power. My willingness to offer opinions, yet remain unattached to them (unless risk management or core course vision is compromised), reflects a sense of grounded confidence. This internal clarity is crucial for navigating the complex web of interpersonal power.

Authentic Power in Action: Cultural Competency and Empowerment

My most profound experiences with authentic power arise when modeling cultural competency for Western participants. Whether it's through singing local songs, attempting the local language, or empowering a student to lead on the trail, these actions transcend mere instruction. They become acts of shared humanity. In these moments, power is not about dominance, but about facilitating connection and fostering growth in others, which in turn reinforces my own sense of empowered leadership.

Power as Love: Prioritizing Well-being and Equity

In the context of outdoor leadership, and indeed any leadership role, power can be a potent force for good. We can frame this as "power expressing love." This translates to:

• Prioritizing well-being: Providing support, mentorship, and opportunities for growth to team members, recognizing their inherent value.

• Advocating for equity: Using influence to champion fair policies and equitable treatment, dismantling power imbalances.

• Creating psychological safety: Fostering an environment where individuals feel safe to express ideas and concerns, challenging hierarchical power structures that discourage dissent.

  
  

Love as Humanizing Power: Listening and Building Community

Conversely, "love humanizing power" emphasizes the importance of empathy and connection in leadership:

• Practicing active listening: Seeking input from team members, valuing diverse perspectives, and acknowledging that power does not equate to omniscience.

• Embracing transparency and accountability: Acknowledging mistakes, taking responsibility for actions, and dismantling the power dynamic of infallibility.

• Fostering community: Building a sense of belonging and connection, recognizing the power of human relationships in dismantling isolating power structures.

Karuna Project specializes in facilitating professional development courses in wilderness areas throughout the world.

In the wilderness, as in life, power is a constant presence. By consciously navigating its complexities, and by choosing to wield it with compassion and intention, we can transform it from a tool of control to a force for positive change. Check out www.karuna-project.com and come with us on a life changing experience.