Leadership on the Landscape
Top-level leadership can be isolating.
Most of your time is spent making decisions, absorbing pressure, and carrying outcomes that affect other people’s lives and livelihoods. Very few spaces exist where you can disconnect, reflect, recharge, and speak candidly with peers who truly understand that responsibility.
Leadership on the Landscape is a small, seasonal cohort designed to create that space — outdoors, off-grid, and focused.
If you’re here, you’re likely considering whether this is worth your time and energy. The information below will help you decide.
About Leadership on the Landscape
Who is this for?
This cohort is designed for top-level leaders — people with ultimate responsibility for people, strategy, and outcomes. People at the top of org charts that do not answer to a direct supervisor or manager. That includes CEOs, Executive Directors, city and county managers, business owners, and comparable roles.
It is not designed for aspiring leaders, middle management, or front-line staff.
Is this a leadership training program?
No.
There are no slides, no curriculum binders, and no breakout sessions. You won’t sit through any presentations or be asked to complete homework.
This is a facilitated peer forum designed to give top-level leaders something most of them lack: uninterrupted thinking time and honest conversation with others who understand the weight of leadership.
What actually happens during a session?
Each session begins with a short framing thought inspired by the natural setting we’re in. From there, the group engages in facilitated discussion and quiet reflection around real leadership challenges and decisions.
There is no lecturing. The value comes from reflection and conversation.
We end by 7:30AM.
Why outdoors?
Distance creates clarity. Nature provides an unbiased lens through which to frame leadership.
Being outside removes leaders from conference rooms, offices, and digital noise. The natural setting provides perspective and a different way to think through familiar problems.
There’s also a practical benefit. Research consistently shows that time spent in natural settings reduces stress, improves focus, supports creative thinking, and restores mental energy. Most top-level leaders operate in a constant state of input, urgency, and decision-making. Stepping into a quiet, outdoor environment—even for an hour—helps reset the nervous system and clear mental clutter.
You don’t need to know anything about ecology. We’re not studying nature or turning this into a wellness retreat. We’re simply using the outdoors as a setting that helps people think more clearly, listen better, and lead with perspective.
What does “fully off-grid” mean?
Sessions are intentionally device-free to facilitate uninterrupted, focused thinking and conversing.
Participants leave behind phones, smart watches, and all mobile communication devices for the duration of the session. No calls or texts. No checking into the office. You get a full hour of complete freedom to think and decompress. Nothing is recorded. No notes are taken by the facilitator.
This is one of the core features of the program.
What if I can’t attend every session?
The cohort meets twice a month from April through October (14 total sessions).
Full participation is encouraged because trust builds over time. That said, occasional schedule conflicts are expected. The goal is commitment — not perfection.
Is this a networking group?
No.
While you will build relationships with other top-level leaders, this is not a business development group. It is not a referral circle. It is not a sales opportunity.
The focus is leadership, clarity, and perspective.
Is this therapy?
No.
This is not group therapy. It is not coaching in the clinical sense. It is a peer forum for thoughtful leaders who want a protected space to reset, reflect, and speak candidly.
How confidential is it?
Confidentiality is central to the integrity of this cohort.
Participants agree not to attribute comments, stories, or specific situations shared during sessions to any individual outside the group. What is discussed on the trail stays within the cohort.
No one is expected to share anything they are not comfortable sharing. Participants control the level of detail they provide and can speak in general terms when appropriate. That said, the value of the program depends on a willingness to be honest and real with peers who understand the unique weight of top-level leadership.
Because the program is hosted by a public agency, Des Moines County Conservation cannot override Iowa public records law. For that reason, the program is intentionally designed to minimize record creation — there are no recordings and no formal session notes.
Ultimately, confidentiality rests on the professionalism and integrity of the participants.
What level of physical ability is required?
Sessions involve walking at a conversational pace on trails and natural surfaces. No special athletic ability is required, but participants should be comfortable walking outdoors for approximately one hour.
We adapt to weather and terrain as needed.
Do I need any special gear?
No specialized hiking gear is required.
Sessions take place on a mix of paved, gravel, and natural-surface trails. At times, we may step off-trail onto uneven ground. Participants should plan to wear comfortable walking shoes with good traction and weather-appropriate clothing.
Business attire is not expected, but neither is a full change of clothes. A quick change of footwear will generally be the only gear prep necessary.
This is not a strenuous hike, but it is an outdoor experience. Dress practically, check the forecast, and come prepared to be outside for an hour.
What is the investment?
The investment is $1,800 for the full season, payable online or via invoice. Proceeds go directly to Des Moines County Conservation.
Why limit it to ten participants?
Trust, candor, and cohesion require a small group.
Once a group grows beyond ten people, conversation naturally fragments. Side discussions form, depth decreases, and it becomes harder for everyone to fully engage. This cohort is designed to function as a single, whole-group conversation — not a collection of sub-groups.
There are also practical considerations. Outdoor settings become less inclusive as numbers grow. Larger groups stretch out along the trail, the shared experience weakens, and meaningful dialogue becomes harder to facilitate. Some locations also have limited parking and access.
The cap ensures the group stays focused, mobile, and cohesive — both in conversation and on the landscape.
What if I’m interested but not sure?
That’s totally understandable.
If you’re curious, schedule coffee or lunch with Chris to talk through it. This cohort isn’t for everyone — but for the right leaders, it becomes some of the most valuable hours of their month.
Request an Invitation
Due to the confidential nature of the cohort and the importance of peer-level alignment, participation is by invitation only. For more information or to request an application, contact:
Chris Lee, Organizational Ecologist
Executive Director, Des Moines County Conservation
Host, Parks and Restoration Podcast
(319) 572-1564
leec@dmcounty.com
