Reflections on MSc Leadership; A Week of Masterful Leadership.

Why has this course struck such a resonance within me, why am I so excited about learning again? Is it because of its utter relevance to my everyday working life, its experiential teaching styles or the charisma and passion with which the subject matter is delivered?


Probably all of the above, but I think it also runs deeper. The fundamental values and core principles that first attracted me to the medical profession, that are so ingrained and have been subconsciously honed over the years, are what this course embodies.

Teamwork, problem solving, mental and physical challenge, self awareness and communication skills are all components of leadership that are so fundamental to our profession. This week and the preceding weekends of theory have addressed all of these facets, and more, that we all rely upon in our working arena, providing a formal framework of concepts and models within which to understand and begin to master them.

The opportunities given to cement the theoretical learning within exhilarating practical experiences means that this was a most rewarding and productive week.

Individuals were challenged and encouraged to deconstruct themselves before being given the tools and awareness to discover and develop self leadership skills that may have been latent or absent previously.

The diversity and intensity of physical and mental challenges that were met and conquered by everyone within the group meant that through the week’s journey steep slopes were climbed and many summits reached!

Anyone can read a text book on leadership or attend a seminar but to have the opportunity to experience the theory in such high calibre company and within such a breath taking environment has been a privilege.

Thank you everyone at the Carnegie Alpenrose for a truly memorable week.

Dr Tim Moore - Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland

Himalayan Expedition Training Weekend

After spending 7 months out at the Carnegie Alpenrose as a My peak Potential trainee it was fantastic to see some familiar faces back in Bavaria last week and also to meet some new ones.

I am referring to the training week for the Himalaya 09 Expedition which saw the whole team of Leeds Met staff and students travel to Bavaria for 5 days of preparation and planning for the trip to Nepal in October this year. The team will be aiming to reach Everest base camp as well as volunteering with a community project at a school for children with cerebral palsy, for which the team are aiming to raise £20,000.

The week combined briefings, mountain skills training, snow shoeing and that all important team bonding, in perfect clear blue skies which resulted in certain team members returning home with an unexpected lobster appearance.

Having been unable to attend the first training meet in North Wales I was meeting some of the team members for the first time. From the outset I was struck by what a friendly, motivated and diverse group of people have been put together for this ambitious project.

Unlike many commercial trekking expeditions where you simply turn up at the airport, this one is unique in that each team member has a specific area of responsibility from fundraising to coordinating the physical preparation. This results in the team developing personally and also learning vast amounts about expedition planning which contributes to a more rewarding and fulfilling experience.

Coming from a sporting background I have always enjoyed being part of a team and all the camaraderie and friendships that come along with having that collective identity. The group of individuals that arrived on day one, through the activities, the fantastic setting and a few bar games thrown in for good measure, left a focused, motivated and above all bonded Team.

As the team left for the airport there was a real buzz of excitement in the air, that one day in mid October, after much preparation and a great deal of hard work, we will be standing as one at Kala Pattar in Nepal, looking up at the top of the world.

By Dave Green

Infectious Enthusiasm in Bavaria

There was a jolting 'what have I let myself in for' moment on learning I'd been picked out of the hat for an Alpenrose trip. Some of the staff who run the centre are ex-army and there were stories of alarming physical activities. Arrival at the Alpenrose soon dispelled that. The accommodation and food were first class and the staff friendly and supportive, facilitating not just the activities but the social side as well. Some are volunteers because they believe in what the centre stands for - personal development, new experiences, pushing boundaries. Their enthusiasm was infectious.



The stunning scenery was a perfect backdrop to the activities - Nordic skiing, snowshoe walking and team building - involving ropes and wires across gorges - the most rewarding as it needed cooperation, trust, and teamwork. These qualities, on a much larger scale, were seen in two awe-inspiring evening presentations by Dave Bunting, who led the 2006 expedition up Everest's notorious west face and Dee Caffari, the first woman to sail single-handed round the world in both directions. It is possible to question the purpose of enterprises like these but impossible not to admire the sheer courage, drive, organisation and determination to carry them through.


Kevin Anderson Bibliographic Services Librarian Faculty of Innovation North - Libraries and Learning Services

Festival of Partnerships for Students Prize winner

After working on various Regional University Network events throughout the Festival of Partnerships for Students I was thrilled to be one of the chosen few to find 'My Peak Potential'. The briefing in Leeds gave us an insight to what could be expected but on arriving at the lodge in the Southern Alps of Germany, nothing quite prepared me for the spectacular location and scenery. Day one saw our team Nordic skiing, day two snowshoeing and day three was the much kept secret activities in the gorge; a mix of activities which enabled us all to challenge ourselves both physically and mentally.and have some fun along the way.

The coaches were fantastic and made us all feel at ease with each task we faced - going blind folded down a zip wire across a river is certainly something I have never experienced before! It was great to mix with staff and students from across the university and share the journey with them. My highlight was the talk given by Dave Bunting on the Mount Everest expedition via the formidable West Ridge. It was inspirational and motivating and demonstrated the importance of working as a team and being focussed on your goals.

Sarah Kirkpatrick GandySenior Officer - Widening Participation & Communications Innovation North - RUN Central

Pain is temporary, quitting is forever!

Libraries and Learning Innovation were offered the opportunity to send some staff to Bavaria as a thank you for their involvement in this year's Festival of Partnerships for Students. Lucky enough to be one of the chosen few drawn out of the hat I found myself Nordic walking, skiing and climbing down a gorge during the three day trip as part of a diverse group, made up of students and staff from across the university. We listened to inspiring talks from Dee Caffari who sailed solo around the world in both directions and Dave Bunting who led the British team up Mount Everest via the West Ridge.

The instructors were brilliant. They taught us the skills needed to participate in the challenges so we felt safe and comfortable. I also loved listening to the fascinating facts about the local countryside. It was an amazing experience. We had beautiful weather, spectacular scenery, comfortable accommodation and scrumptious Bavarian cakes. At times challenging, it was really enjoyable and I even made some new friends. I have returned feeling enthused and rejuvenated with just a few sore blisters on my feet. The motto of the weekend for me had to be: "pain is temporary, quitting is forever!"

Winners in Bavaria

Last week saw a group of 19 students and staff, winners in the Leeds Metropolitan University Festival of Partnerships for Students, arrive at the Carnegie Alpenrose for a week of fun and personal development in the mountains. When they received the news that they were to fly out to Bavaria for a week of snow and sunshine, few of them really knew what to expect.

Many groups arrive here questioning themselves deeply, will I be fit enough; is it going to be scary; am I capable? Well, so far...everyone who has visited us on a teambuilding or leadership programme has accomplished the challenges on offer; some against all expectations of themselves. Our trainers are some of the most highly qualified and experienced outdoor specialists and safety remains their main focus; fun a close second! This is nicely expressed below by one of the students in the group.

From all your Gorge group, we wish we were in the Gorge every day. Not once did we feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Thank you for making our first day at the Alpenrose so great. Becki Griffiths

Although this programme was not essentially about learning new skills or teambuilding (these students came from many different faculties across the University) it was still designed to be a very powerful experience, benefitting the individual both personally and professionally.

Reasonably new to the industry myself, I have been blown away by the effects of outdoor activities on individuals. The achievements in getting yourself and your team mates down through the “Gorge experience” or of learning a new skill such as Nordic skiing are a huge boost to self confidence and self belief which in turn can boost creativity, problem solving and develop talent and potential. You are also bonding with people who are sharing the same experiences as you and in doing so you are learning to place trust and have confidence in others as well as yourself.

Experiencing something outside of your normal routine can also have huge psychological benefits and give you that nudge you need to realise dreams and aspirations that you thought were beyond your boundaries. Please see our “Be your Best“ web page for more benefits of outdoor activities.

“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered you will never grow.”> Ronald E Osborn

This group arrived in the main as individuals but left as a group of friends who had shared some great experiences. There was a lot of laughter as well as a few tears of anticipation but I think the testimonials they left us sum up the end product......

“Had a brilliant time and would like to thank all the staff involved. I feel I have achieved something I would not have done otherwise, thanks" Karen Smith

“Thanks to everyone involved in making the last few days so amazing. I’ve never been on a trip like this but I definitely will be doing something like this again....” Chris Jones

“The time spent with My Peak Potential has been both exciting and exhilarating. The activities are so rewarding and the team leaders are some of the nicest people I have ever met. Thank you 4 the opportunity” Sam Dixon

Leadership and Karaoke on the high seas

We currently have Dee Caffari, World class record breaking solo yachtswoman, staying with us at the Carnegie Alpenrose. After very recently returning from her third around the world challenge where she was taking part in the Vendee Globe race, she is enjoying a well deserved break as well as easing herself back into some land-based exercise.


At sea Dee was very much confined to the boundaries of her 60ft yacht. Although controlling a boat of this class is extremely strenuous work, it is mainly her arms that bore the brunt of this work. Dee describes her physical appearance on return to land as similar to that of the well loved seadog Popeye! However there was no spinach in sight, just days and days of freeze dried rations! My Peak Potential’s John Doyle has been taking her on early morning runs to get those land legs back up to full speed whilst Herbie, our chef, has been making sure she gets her greens! With a combination of gentle runs in the foothills, Nordic skiing, Ski-touring and snow-showing each day Dee will soon be back up to peak fitness and the next challenge in front of her, the Around Britain and Ireland Record. Is there no stopping this woman?




Dee’s stay with us has also coincided with a group of students who are with us as part of a prize they received from their student festival. On the first evening of their stay they listened to our very own Dave Bunting present his Everest West Ridge expedition story and on evening two Dee kindly offered an impromptu account of her own experiences of her record-breaking world challenges.



Having heard Dave’s inspirational story a few times now, I was really looking forward to finding out all about another inspiring adventure. With questions reeling around my head of how you cope with the loneliness, what happens if your injure yourself and the nearest person to you is actually on the international space station above you (This is true of one point on the route, and just happened to coincide with Dee’s birthday this year!), I made myself comfy in the lecture room.
The statistics are pretty impressive and I think Dee herself is just coming to terms with them. Apparently only four people have ever circumnavigated the world in both directions, and only one of these four is a woman. That woman is Dee! She seemingly surprises herself with this statistic and follows it up with a congratulatory....”Get in!”

Dee is an extremely personable woman and so it is even more fascinating that she has chosen to sail around the world twice, solo. I have always imagined it to be the theatre of slightly introverted and steely characters; this is the antithesis of Dee’s nature. Dee’s sunny personality captivates her audience. She describes the horror of hearing the fate of other sailors in the fleet. How news of dismastings and capsizes unnerve her in the southern oceans. How the lack of sleep, the waves as high as a three storey house and the drifting Icebergs (a very real threat to a boat made from Carbon fibre) are all elements of the journey she battles with alone each day.

Dee’s 60 ft yacht Aviva, became her ally and confidant on her 3 month journey.
With the nearest person hundreds of miles away, you need some company. They were in this race together so many conversations would be had between the two of them, well...in one direction, but none the less; Aviva was always consulted on the next move!

Music appeared to be another savoir from the loneliness of this solo race. With nothing but the sound of three storey waves crashing into your hull, it provided a great distraction for the mind. Dee states that her Karaoke skills were much improved on her return!



The most interesting part of this story to us as a leadership training facility is the way Dee coped with leading herself and her 60ft Yacht across hundreds of thousands of kilometres of forbidding seas. She had an amazing team supporting her from dry land, but if something breaks or goes wrong, the decision making is ultimately up to her. How to manage herself, her time, her eating, her sleeping is all down to Dee. She is her own mechanic, own chef, own doctor, own manager, own counsellor and own companion.

As an ex student of Leeds Metropolitan University she worked closely with them on the physiological and psychological aspects of her trip. By analysing diaries she kept on her last trip against the prevailing winds, she was able to recognise patterns of behaviour fairly quickly and react accordingly. She uses one example, which although a seemingly obvious reaction in children, we rarely recognise in ourselves as adults. She noted that when her emotions and stress were running high and her ability to cope with them was low, it was because she either needed a sleep or something to eat. Things are always so much easier with a little shut eye and a full tummy. Try it next time!

Thank you very much Dee for your presentation and a very big congratulations on your record –breaking double and your 6th place in the Vendee!
Dee is available for motivational and after dinner speaking. Please contact us to find out more.