Authentic leadership begins with self-knowledge and inner clarity
– Martin
The wilderness trail I went on with Clearwater was, without doubt, one of the most valuable and deeply personal experiences I have had in my life. From the very first contact, there was an immediate ‘click’; the program felt carefully and thoughtfully structured, and it was immediately clear to me that this was what I had been looking for, for years. After a years-long search at various leading international institutes and universities, based on my profile, aspirations, and the executive programs I had previously participated in. The coaching walk in nature, the introductions, and the preparatory meeting with the other participants prior to the trail week; everything contributed to a sense of trust, openness, and connection.
The setting at the Bergplaas Nature Reserve in South Africa touched me deeply. The breathtaking beauty of this pristine natural area—the silence, the vast landscapes, rock formations, the rhythm of the days, and the wondrous South African starry sky—felt not just as a backdrop, but as an active and almost spiritual source of insight and wisdom. In this ‘pure’ environment, the connection with nature became tangible. I felt supported, slowed down, and at the same time fully awake—inspired—calibrated. A feeling and state of mind that I had been searching for and longing for, for a long time.
Precisely because of that connection with the natural world and the tranquility, as well as the structure of the program, I came closer to myself than I have been in a long time. I have gained insights and made connections that feel to me like true keys to a free and more authentic life. This applies both to the way I shape my working life and to my private life—my home. I feel lighter, more grounded, and most certainly more myself. Once again, a long and deeply cherished desire of mine.
The quality of the coaching, facilitators, and the team at and behind ClearWater really stood out to me. Their personalities, presence, expertise, and ability to create space for both individual processes and group interaction made the journey feel like one smooth, flowing experience. Nothing stood by itself: nature, input, inspiration, reflection, guidance, and the group, everything worked together harmoniously.
It became clear to me once again that authentic leadership and ‘being’ in daily life begins with self-knowledge and inner clarity. This trail has given me ‘exactly that’. I can wholeheartedly recommend ClearWater, or rather the ‘ClearWater method’, to every ‘Executive’ who longs for profound self-knowledge, personal professionalism in leadership from the heart, and an ‘authentic existence’. This journey touches, transforms, and creates magic!