The results of the seminar

LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP FROM THE HIMALAYAS

„How to use your untapped potential of body mind and soul“

Hi Thomas,

It was indeed a life enhancing if not a life changing experience in many ways. So first of all a great big thanks for giving me the opportunity and for the invaluable challenges and discussions along the trek.

The most positive moment (was) without any doubt, the companionship formed during the trek! I am actually missing our discussions and the friendship that to me became so much closer through the experiences we shared. Our little group was very good, sufficiently different to drive interesting debates and still not too far apart to allow us to truly understand each other as well.

The environment is somehow very conducive, there is a different kind of energy present in the mountains in Mustang, which has made it easier to open up and use the opportunity for a genuine exchange. My key learning is the insight on how important it is to deliberately create opportunities to experience similar (radical) things; (…)it needs to be time dedicated to “explore…”

Practical learnings

a. Mind

Importance of giving enough space for the mind, working with it continuously and having powerful experiences to challenge the mind on a regular basis. (…)Thanks again Thomas for sharing that.

b. Soul

True awareness now about the trinity between Body, Mind and Soul. Under normal circumstances, one does not think too much about it but the experience helps a lot as it somehow, and don’t ask me how, made me very clearly aware of this holy triad!

c. Personal development.

Develop rituals and to celebrate things MUCH more than ever before. Our discussions have made it utterly clear to me, how important these things are.

d. Keep on working

on the holy Triad, trying to keep Body, Mind and Soul in harmony and to assign matters their “correct” values, in clear talk, let work dominate less. I believe never to have been particularly dogmatic, but our Trek, (…) has helped me
to be even less dogmatic, and I will be working further on the topic!

e. Short term actions:

Honestly, the value of the journey is more in long term re-orientation of my mind-set. The absolute success-factor in our joint experience was
in the group dynamics.

We were blessed to have such a small and truly versatile group, the various discussions, guided or not, were invaluable. Technically specifically it is easy to recommend, as we could not have had a better ground logistics and organization. I definitely intend to (come back) to Nepal at some point in time, and I absolutely wish to be able to take advantage of AD and Pasang’s  superior services. They were just FANTASTIC!

Dear Thomas,

Once again THANK YOU! I really truly enjoyed every single day of the journey and will certainly cherish many of the learnings for a long time to come and hopefully will be able to implement certain, lasting amendments into my own life as well.

Sincerely yours
H.S.


A very special journey

The very first time I heard about the seminar trip to Nepal in February 2018, I knew right away: I had to do this. I didn't waste any time and registered immediately. To be honest: I did have a few reservations. This would be the furthest I ever travelled in my life and my foreign language skills – especially English – were on the modest side.
I never ever regretted my spontaneous decision. All my expectations were surpassed. It was an amazing experience for me from the first to the last day.

Our small travel group got talking very quickly. The "tour guide" Thomas Oehler came up with new and interesting topics all the time that got us thinking abut our own objectives for the trip and beyond.
I was totally impressed with our encounters with so many welcoming and open Nepalese. Every one of them has shown me in their own way, how wonderful Nepal really is. Even the stuffy and dusty city of Kathmandu has plenty of space for happiness and humanity.

And then there is the incredible nature of the country, once you leave the metropolis behind. I didn't need a smartphone or any other electronic means to keep me occupied (I had left it behind in the hotel safe in Kathmandu anyway as a precaution). Trekking across these amazing landscapes truly made me feel that I was in the here and now. All my thoughts and worries about work or anything else just disappeared. I was on the road I was supposed to be on.
The days we spent at the Serang Monastery were an incredible gift. I know that I am just one of very few in this world, who will ever experience this place and this community the way I have. Thank toy so much, Thomas, for making it possible!

Nepal, its people and its natural beauty now have a permanent place in my heart and in my travel plans for the future.

Erik Lehmann, Business Owner, Leipzig


 

My trek to the Hidden Valley in 2018 was my second trip to Nepal. I had already hiked to Everest Base Camp with Thomas Oehler in 2011.

I love this country. The gigantic landscape amazes me every time. I feel tiny among the huge mountains, but at the same time I also feel like I'm part of the landscape. During the daily treks I had a lot of time to think - it's almost like a form meditation.

I find it fascinating how the group grows together over time and how I get to know the others in completely different ways to what I expected. The intensive interaction in particular gave me many new ideas and fresh perspectives.

The friendliness and the smiles of the people leave me longing for Nepal as soon as I get back home. You encounter poverty around every corner in Nepal, but also deep spirituality. Maybe they go hand in hand. Maybe owning so much blinds you to the essential things. I think we can learn a lot from Nepal...

I will definitely be back.

Boris, Hamburg


„I am not sure what I was looking for when I decided to have a break. Not necessarily a sabbatical but a mental and physical break from thinking and routines that determine my daily life - personal as well as professional.

What I have found during my trip to and stay at the Serang monastery and attached school was - as simple as it sounds - the present moment. Especially during the stay at the monastery and attached school by not only observing but having the opportunity to participate provided a perspective that was not new but much more intense than in other occasions. The possibility to enjoy the present moment with people in a simple but fascinating environment was great and eye-opening. For me, it provided a new perspective on life.

With regard to lessons in Leadership as well as not being familiar with the country and its culture, I highly appreciate the advice and guidance from Genius Coaching & Training who did a great job in facilitating the seminar and taking care of everything including hiring of an excellent guide.

"Life can only take place in the present moment. If we lose the present moment, we lose life." Buddha

Dr. Matthias Geselle
Sector CIO PM, Business Technology, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt

 


Be humble and disconnect. 

My treck to Serang Monastery (3500m) and how it changed my life

16 months ago, we went for the first time into a nationwide lockdown in Germany because of Covid-19. 16 months that changed my personal as well as professional life - like probably many if not all other people's as well.

Everybody talks about the #NewNormal, #FutureWaysofWorking, #HybridWork or #NewWork. Companies launch initiatives addressing cultural change as well as the well-being of their employees. You can read about resilience, mental health and a lot of other things offered by companies to keep their employees productive.

This is not different from my company where I am leading an organisation in more than 6 countries. As a leader, you have to adapt to the new situation. Remote leadership becomes essential. Your day is packed from early in the morning until late in the evening. Causal coffee corner chats are replaced by more individual meetings which gives you less time than before. Sometimes, you do not even have time for a proper lunch. In addition, you do not only have to lead, you also have to coach. You have to listen and provide advice beyond work.

In these intense and stressful times, I remember my trip to the Serang Monastry nearly 2 years ago. I had the privilege - and I mean it his way as not everybody has the possibility to disconnect completely for 3 weeks from work - to join Thomas and friends on a fantastic hike in the Nepal mountains to the Serang Monastry and Serang Primary School. Looking back, I will always remember 2 things this trip taught me and helps me in special situations during the pandemic:

  1. Be humble
    It was not so much thimage001e experience of mother nature which for sure is also incredibly impressive with its scenery and wildlife. It was more the people. The hospitality, friendliness and respect. The way how these people cope with their life and its challenges, treat others and have such a happy attitude. You do not have to become happy just by realizing others are in a much worse situation. But to see how others addressing issues in a far more challenging environment should help to calibrate yourself and be a bit more humble.

  2. Disconnect 
    image002Unplug yourself to regain energy. It took a while during the trek until I stopped pulling out my mobile phone during a break just to realize that we had no reception. If you do not have this constant distraction to check your inbox, news or social media channels, you have time for yourself. You do not have to go on a 3 week trek to disconnect. But when you unplug yourself, you have to be consistent. In today's fast pacing world, this is for me the perfect way to calm down. 

 

I will always be thankful to Dr.Thomas Oehler from HCE having had the opportunity to join this journey in 2019. Especially the stay at the Serang Monastry, the visit of the Serang Primary School and all the lovely people I had the pleasure to meet there. It will always remain a special memory.

Dr. Matthias Geselle
CIO Electronics at  MERCK Group