*Wilderness Experiences Foster Authentic Leadership DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.107437*

one of the key attributes at the beginning of the program. Leadership transformation is a process of personal growth, therefore careful formulation of personal purpose is important. Participants who can explicitly formulate their personal purpose, possibly assisted in a coaching conversation, make a good start in terms of self-awareness, one of the components of authentic leadership. Therefore, it is recommended that training designers build in that each leadership training starts with mapping and engaging participants' personal. Involvement contributes to commitment and may give direction to the entire training program. Similarly, organizations might consider having their managers formulate their purpose as a starting point for the formulation of strategic organizational goals. This could contribute to the significance of these goals for those involved and thus to their personal commitment to achieving them [9].

Second, being alone in nature for a longer period of time evokes feelings of a deep connection with nature. The findings indicated that the challenge of experiencing periods of solitude in pristine nature or being alone at night-watch posed an unfamiliar physical and emotional challenge. The leaders stated that these experiences had made a deep impression. The experience of being alone made them realize the importance of taking ample time for self-reflection to create new insights (internalizing moral perspective). Moreover, they felt more self-confident and experienced more peace of mind. Leaders reported that after this experience they felt capable of dealing with other challenges as well, such as the challenge to change their leadership style to become a more authentic leader. Therefore, it makes sense to incorporate longer periods of self-reflection in leadership training programs and leadership curricula of Business schools and MBAs. Organizations can think of creating a climate in which it is possible to take breaks during meetings in which team members can take the time to let things sink in and reflect on them, for example by taking a short silent walk.

Third, participants are encouraged to consciously go into nature. It does not have to be wild nature. It can be a garden as well, as long as it is a place in which they can connect with nature again and again. Returning to this place, one gets to know it through all the different seasons and see all subtle changes. A few hours per week, just being in this place, maybe with a notebook to write things down or make a drawing. But always focusing on the relationship with the place, allowing it to become alive, to be full of meaning. Being receptive and listening, and really sensing nature could leaders help remember their trail experiences and with that the importance of being attentive to others with pure intention, becoming a more purposeful, authentic leader.
