Why should I join this course?
Up your leadership game by training to lead a rope team
Test and improve your leadership skills in a challenging environment where you get instant feedback and reward: Navigating challenging terrain in the mountains. Leading a rope team in attuned, clear and confident fashion. Adapting your leadership style to the individual, the group and the situation. Bringing coherence to mind, body, and heart. Blending empathic communication with clarity and assertiveness.
Boost your self-management and start thriving in thin air
Introspect and boost your self-management under challenging circumstances. Train showing up in your highest potential - even when things get tough. Step up in monitoring and leading yourself: Am I above or below the line?
How can I shift and get myself back on track? Am I willing to take every step needed to ensure that me and my team can thrive?
Soak up the magic of the mountains
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the alps. Experience serenity and freedom climbing among majestic peaks, mountain streams and glaciers. Push yourself physically, mentally and emotionally in the great company of a group of peers and the powers of nature.
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THE TEAM
Leadership Coaching by Matthias Ryffel
Matthias combines 20 years of technical mountaineering in small rope teams with a rock-solid background in accompanying people, teams and leaders from all walks of life through conflict and personal development.
A certified mediator, Matthias has led numerous teams and groups of up to 30 people through high-stake conflict transformation processes. He regularly advises and coaches employees and leaders of the Swiss Federal Administration, Swiss Universities, as well as business people.
As a Mountain Specialist in the Swiss Army and a youth Tour Guide, he learned to lead and instruct in the mountains by his early twenties.
Twenty years later, he brings coaching into nature with his own company. He runs leadership courses in the mountains for members of the Swiss Alpine Club. He also trains professional mediators and instructs in courses focusing on personal development.
Matthias thrives most when he can lead people into their potential by tapping into the beautiful resources, mirrors and challenges of the great outdoors.
Guiding by Swiss Mountain Guide (tbc.)
Course Details
Dates
4 days: 16-19 September 2025
Requirements
Leadership experience or ambition (in hierarchical or non-hierarchical structures).
Surefooted and free from excessive fear of heights.
Previous experience in hiking in the mountains on rocky and snowy terrain.
Previous experience in hiking roped up and with crampons is helpful.
The Course will be held in English and German depending on participant's preference.
In shape to hike for 6 hours a day (excluding breaks) and climb up to 1000 meters in altitude.
Food & Shelter
We will sleep in a mountain lodge or hut. Dinner & Breakfast is provided. Lunch for the hikes is organized individually by participants.
Costs & Insurance
The retreat costs 2500 Swiss Francs including board, lodge and transportation during the retreat.
Insurance is the sole responsibility of the participants.
Hiking Region
We will be hiking in the Swiss Alps. Depending on weather and snow conditions, we are in the Bernese Alps, the Valais or Ticino. We aim to scale 3-4 beautiful summits in 4 days.
Program
Days may start as early as 4am and end in late afternoon.
We hike every day for 2-6 hours
Planning, role playing, introspection, sharing, coaching and group work sessions are interwoven with the hiking.
Group Size
We accept a maximum of 8 participants. Depending on the technicality of the route, up to 4 participants will be guided by one certified Mountain Guide.
Approaches we draw from
Adaptive Leadership
Responding adaptively to any evolving situation and to individuals with different levels of skill, power, stamina, and motivation. Broadening the range of options, from empathic and attuned to decisive and assertive.
Nature-based regenerative leadership
Learning to use nature as a mirror to remind us of our own strength and resources and balance ourselves out, drawing on archetypal powers.
Systemic
Tapping into the inherent intelligence of complex systems and groups and using it to see what needs to evolve and wants to change.
Mindfulness
Building awareness to listen to the intelligence of our body, mind, heart. Tapping into intuition, clarity, creativity and emotional intelligence.
Transparent and Non-Violent Communication
Deep attunement and empathic listening to what is said and to what is not said, working with emotions, needs, interests as well as with stress, resistance and numbness.
Conscious Leadership
Starting by taking 100% responsibility for yourself, working with a series of ground-breaking commitments.
Coherence
Becoming more tangible and trustworthy as your thinking, acting and speaking becomes one. Evolving your integrity by closing energy leaks.
