The Art of Leadership (AOL) is a self-organised leadership retreat developed by myself and other members of the Bosch Alumni Network (BAN). It aims to provide a reflective and collaborative space for mid-career leaders in civil society and social impact sectors. This unique programme focuses on fostering peer-to-peer learning, personal development, and strategies for sustainable leadership. The first retreat was held in Naivasha, Kenya, in November 2024.

The retreat’s core objectives were to address leadership challenges, support networking, and provide a model for future leadership exchanges. These were achieved through diverse activities, workshops, and experiential learning sessions rooted in co-creation and self-organisation. The format and the needs that the retreat answered were seen as replicable in regional and localised formats as an opportunity to create safe spaces for caring exchange.

Having exited from a leadership role myself in early 2024, the initiative was envisioned to address the personal and professional struggles of leaders operating in high-pressure environments. With peers from Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and the UK, I won a grant and we disseminated a call for applications within the BAN network, targeting leaders with over five years of experience in leadership roles within medium-sized organisations. A group of 12 participants based in Europe (9), Africa (2), and the USA (1) was selected. Several online group calls, held from September to November 2024, were essential for planning and agenda development. Participants contributed to specific retreat aspects, including food planning, documentation, agenda facilitation, and travel logistics. This ensured equitable participation and fostered a shared sense of ownership.

Key insights and learnings from the retreat included:

• Leadership is a lonely journey, and peer support is invaluable. 
• Different forms of leadership, including more horizontal, power-sharing structures, are essential to explore.
• Safe spaces for leaders to share and learn are crucial for continuous development. 
• The importance of self-care and creating a supportive environment for staff.
• Insights into leadership cycles, transitioning, and exiting were particularly valued.

With support from BAN, the AOL retreat will be designed as a recurring format for the BAN network at a workshop in September 2025 in Berlin that I’m co-facilitating.