Leadership Lessons from a Week Off the Grid in Belize

Seven days. No power, no cell phone, no distractions—just ten people, kayaks, tents, and the open sea. My trip to Belize wasn’t just an adventure; it was an experiment in leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving in an unpredictable environment.

Through island hopping, cooking over an open fire, setting up camp, and navigating the unknown, I found myself reflecting on what it truly means to lead—especially when plans change, stress builds, and decisions need to be made in the moment.

Our Kayaking Crew

Leading in Uncertainty: Managing Stress Without Passing It On

Leadership often means making real-time decisions without certainty, and that lesson hit me hardest when I was leading for a day. We had planned an exciting snorkeling activity in a gulf, a sheltered area protected by trees where we were promised a chance to see sea life that wasn’t visible in the open water. Many people in our group had looked forward to it as the highlight of the trip, making it even more stressful when the day turned out windy and unpredictable.

I felt anxious and responsible—what if we couldn’t go? Would I be letting people down? Should I push ahead and risk a difficult experience, or adjust expectations and disappoint everyone? Did leadership mean keeping everyone happy?

What I learned that day was that leadership isn’t about eliminating uncertainty—it’s about navigating it while maintaining trust. I kept my composure, openly communicated our options, and made space for the group’s input. Ultimately, we adjusted our plan to lobster catching, and though it wasn’t what everyone expected, it turned into an equally rewarding experience.

Lobsters!

The Power of Silence: Being Assertive Without Raising Your Voice

Leading doesn’t always mean being the loudest voice in the room. On this trip, using silence effectively became one of my most valuable tools.

When working with a group of ten people - all with different priorities, levels of experience, and energy levels - there were moments when I needed to be firm. Whether it was getting everyone together in time for a morning paddle or organizing camp setup before dark, I noticed that assertiveness didn’t require raising my voice, instead, it required presence.

Rather than trying to talk over conversations or repeating instructions multiple times, I learned that pausing, standing my ground, and holding space could be just as powerful. Silence creates attention, authority, and respect, without creating tension. It reminded me that leadership isn’t about volume; it’s about clarity and confidence.

Co-Leading: Balancing Different Leadership Styles

For one of my leadership sessions, I was a co-leader, paired with a teammate I wasn’t very familiar with. We both had different goals for the experience:

• I wanted to take more initiative, be proactive in making announcements, and assert myself more confidently.

• She wanted to improve at facilitating group discussions and making space for others’ voices.

Before our session, we communicated our individual leadership goals and found ways to complement each other’s strengths. She focused on engaging the group, while I took charge of clear decision-making and structuring the day’s activities.

This experience showed me that leadership isn’t just about leading alone—it’s about adapting and working with others, even when leadership styles differ. By aligning our goals early on, we created a strong, supportive dynamic that allowed both of us to grow.