Leaders need space to grow
Leaders don’t grow in busy rooms ...they grow in space.
Our New Forest coaching day proved it. When leaders literally step into nature, slow down and coach each other with intention, so much changes.
Leadership Coaching and the Power of Space
In a world that moves at relentless speed, and seemingly full of deadlines, meetings, notifications, and change, leaders rarely get enough of one thing that can transform their thinking…. space.
Space to breathe, think, imagine, reflect and space to connect with themselves and others.
Recently, I organised a day of coaching and development for a small group of middle and senior leaders at a wonderfully situated and beautiful New Forest hotel, with direct access to the forest itself. It was a day designed around space including physical, mental and emotional space. The participants worked in groups, trios and through walk‑and‑talk pairs coaching, where leaders coached each other while walking through the forest trails taking advantage of the blues and greens in nature.
Why space matters in Leadership Coaching
Space is a leadership necessity because when we step away from the hustle and bustle, emails, meetings and all the noise and into nature, we give ourselves the opportunity for things to shift. We create space for pace to slows, to clear our minds, for the body to relax, and quite suddenly, our conversations deepen.
Coaching thrives in space because much of it is about awareness, listening and connection, all of which require time and presence. In the forest, even just a few hundred metres from the hotel, surrounded by natural light and fresh air, leaders noted that found themselves thinking quite differently. Further they reported that they seemed to listen more deeply, notice more and that they asked better questions. Collectively they reflected on what their teams truly need to perform and grow during the next period of business and change.
Nature as a catalyst for growth
There are reasons we feel better outdoors. Research consistently shows that exposure to greens and blues, the colours of nature, improves wellbeing, creativity and cognitive performance. Green tones (trees, grass, foliage etc) are associated with calm, renewal and growth. Blue tones (eg sky, water) evoke openness, clarity and expansive thinking. Together, they create a far better environment for reflection and problem solving.
Natural daylight regulates our circadian rhythm, improving focus and mood, and fresh air increases oxygen flow to the brain, enhancing clarity and decision making for ample. Movement, even gentle walking, stimulates creativity and helps people process complex ideas. It’s no coincidence that some of history’s greatest thinkers, from Darwin to Steve Jobs, were known for their walking routines.
When leaders coach in nature, they tap into this natural energy, its like the forest becomes a co‑facilitator or a silent partner that helps people see, feel and think about things differently.
Coaching each other, building trust and capability
During our day, leaders coached each other in pairs. They practised listening without judgement, asking open questions and holding space for reflection. This peer‑to‑peer coaching did more than build coaching skills, it helped them to built trust, empathy, connection, appreciation and understanding.
As they walked and talked, leaders discovered shared challenges and fresh perspectives. They realised that coaching isn’t just a skill, it’s a mindset, one that strengthens relationships and can improve and accelerate change more successfully and sustainably.
By the end of the day, the group had noticeably improved their coaching capability but also deepened their awareness of how to support their teams through transition. Their organisation is evolving, it needs to become more commercial, more relevant and more adaptive, and these leaders left better equipped to lead this change.
Choosing the right venue - don’t underestimate the power of place
Too often, leadership development happens in sterile meeting rooms with artificial light, no windows and stale air. But we must remember that the environment shapes the experience. As Kurt Lewin famously noted, ‘Behaviour is a function of both the person and their environment.’
Choosing the right venue for coaching and leadership development isn’t just about convenience, cost or a free three-course lunch, its far more about impact and value. A space that feels safe, open and connected to nature invites better thinking and deeper conversation. It really does signal to participants that this time is different, that they are important and that reflection and growth are valued in the business.
When planning leadership development, ask yourself a few questions, such as:
Does the space encourage openness and connection?
Is there access to natural light and fresh air?
Can people move, walk and think freely?
Does the environment reflect the kind of leadership culture you want to create?
The venue becomes part of the message in my opinion, it tells leaders… this is important, you matter and your growth matters.
Space in time and space in place
There are two kinds of space leaders need:
Space in Time - the space blocked out and protected in the calendar to think, reflect and reconnect. Without it, leaders can become burnt out and leadership become reactive and transactional.
Space in Place - the physical environment that supports calm, creativity, openness, flow and connection. Without it, conversations are likely to stay shallow and rushed.
When leaders create both types of space, they can better unlock insight, empathy, emotional intelligence, knowledge and innovation. They move from managing tasks to shaping and leading people and culture.
The impact of space
By the end of our New Forest leadership coaching day, a few things had changed. The group reviewed the day and commented that they felt lighter, clearer, somewhat ‘freer’ and more connected to self and others. They had new ideas for how to coach their teams, support change and build commercial relevance. Perhaps more importantly, they had rediscovered the power of presence such as the ability to slow down, listen and lead with intention.
Proving Space had done its work.
Call to Action
If you’re a leader or organisation preparing for change, don’t underestimate the value of space in time, in place and in conversation. Coaching isn’t just about skills or questions, it’s about creating the conditions (environment) for insight and growth to flourish. When you give people space, they are more likely to find their own better quality answers and those answers tend to be more powerful than being given advice, or told what to do.
My colleagues and I help leaders and teams create that space through leadership coaching, development programmes and experiential workshops that combine commercial clarity and value with human connection.
If you’d like to explore how coaching can help your leaders think better, lead better and perform better, let’s talk. In a world that’s always rushing forward, sometimes the most powerful thing a leader can do… is pause….
The Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst sits on the edge of the open forest with immediate access to forest walks, cycle tracks and open space for your business events, facilitated workshops and meetings, and coaching.
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