Looking for a meaningful way to bring people together? Netwalking in the Brecon Beacons could be exactly what you need.In a world of back-to-back meetings, endless notifications, and hybrid working challenges, creating space for fresh thinking and fresh conversations can feel impossible. But what happens when you step away from the screens and into the wild?
As we settle into the new financial year and the sunshine lifts our spirits, it’s the perfect time to focus on what really makes teams thrive: resilience. In the face of rising costs and tighter budgets—especially with the recent increase in employer National Insurance contributions—organisations are looking for smart, impactful ways to develop their people without stretching resources.
Spotting and developing future leaders is about more than filling senior roles—it’s about empowering individuals with the skills and confidence to thrive. Yet, many talented people are overlooked for leadership, not because they lack ability, but because they aren’t given the opportunity or support to step up. By recognising potential early and creating the right development pathways, managers can build a stronger, more capable workforce ready to lead with impact.
It’s National Careers Week (NCW) 3-8th March, a dedicated annual event aimed at empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed career choices. NCW highlights the importance of career education, providing students, job seekers and professionals with access to valuable insights, industry trends and expert guidance to support their future aspirations.
At Call of the Wild, we’re here to help you take the next step in your professional journey. Whether you’re looking for expert Career, Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG), nationally recognised Level 6 Career Guidance & Development qualifications, or dynamic apprenticeship opportunities, we’ve got you covered! Our tailored career services support individuals and businesses in unlocking their full potential.
With increasing political polarisation, and extreme views are gaining traction, the role of leadership has never been more critical. With figures like Donald Trump shaping global discourse, decisions made thousands of miles away are having ripple effects across businesses, economies, and societies worldwide. Against this backdrop, it’s crucial to ask: are we doing enough to support women in leadership and how can we effectively support the next generation of leaders, particularly women, in navigating these turbulent times?
In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is often discussed for its potential to cause job losses, one sector is uniquely positioned to harness this technology for good: career advice. AI is not here to replace human advisers, but rather to enhance their ability to provide more personalized, timely, and cost-effective support. By doing so, AI can help more young people and unemployed adults build fulfilling futures.
Discover the transformative power of hwyl in team development with Call of the Wild. This uniquely Welsh concept of joy, energy, and connection is the key to aligning teams to a shared vision while creating unforgettable moments. At Call of the Wild, we specialise in fostering hwyl through immersive experiences in the stunning landscapes of the Bannau Brycheiniog, helping teams build trust, energise collaboration, and achieve their full potential.
The debate around hybrid working has been reignited recently by comments from Lord Rose, the former boss of Marks & Spencer and Asda, who warned that remote working is creating a generation “not doing proper work.” Speaking to BBC Panorama, he suggested that home working is part of the UK economy’s “general decline” and that employee productivity is suffering.
We were saddened to hear about the closure of Kingswood, an organisation that has been delivering outdoor experiences across the UK for 40 years. The Kingswood outdoor team building closure is a stark reminder of the financial challenges facing organisations in this space. Rising operational costs, coupled with increasing financial pressures on businesses and individuals, have made it harder for outdoor centres to keep their activities accessible and affordable. The difficult decision to close is a testament to how challenging this market has become.
In a rapidly evolving business landscape, having a bold, long-term vision isn’t just inspiring – it’s essential. Big vision planning for 2025 helps align your team’s goals with the future needs of your organisation and the shifting demands of the market. A clear and ambitious vision energises your team, creates a sense of purpose, and positions your organisation to thrive in the years ahead.
As the year draws to a close it’s crucial to recharge over the festive break, and there’s no better way to disconnect from work stress than by reconnecting with nature. Stepping away from the desk and into the outdoors can boost mental clarity, creativity, and overall well-being. So, over the festive break here are some simple outdoor activities that will leave you refreshed and ready for the new year.
As we come towards the end of the year and we reflect on the year we’ve had, we want to share some wonderful news with you all. At Call of the Wild, developing people is at the heart of everything we do – not just in the workplace but also in our communities. That’s why we created the Call of the Wild Development Trust, born from our passion for helping people grow.
A difficult relationshipDuring the course of collecting research data for a number of reports, I discovered some common practices amongst senior managers and leaders who were struggling with their relationships with their teams. Many of them were operating in close proximity to the middle or junior managers who were directly reporting to them. They were aware of every action, every decision and, of course, every error. Often they would step in and ‘help’ through all good intentions, and they saw themselves as hands-on and involved. These people were also under constant time demands to complete their day-to-day tasks, as they were spending a considerable time engaged in unproductive and unnecessary effort.
As the year draws to a close, leading a hybrid team comes with its own set of challenges. Ensuring your team’s wellbeing, while keeping them motivated to finish the year strong, requires careful planning. Call of the Wild’s Hybrid Wellness Check is a powerful tool that can help leaders overcome these challenges, enabling hybrid teams to thrive now and into the new year.
The first snow has graced the Brecon Beacons, turning the landscape into a breathtaking winter wonderland. As we take in this stunning transformation, we’re reminded of the valuable leadership and resilience lessons nature has to offer. Just like navigating a snow-covered trail, leadership requires adaptability, clarity, and the strength to overcome challenges—qualities that are tested and strengthened in the wild.
Cast your mind back pre-pandemic, and you’d regularly chat to Dave in finance at the water cooler, to Rachel from HR in the kitchen grabbing your sandwiches from the fridge, and to Shalisha from marketing while she’s smacking the printer in an effort for it to work! How many of these conversations were more than incidental chats? How many of them sparked ideas and follow-up meetings because you were relaxed and informal and asking about the person’s day, or what they were busy working on? They could be conversations of joy, or stress from things not going quite to plan.
We’ve been running bespoke leadership and management development programmes to businesses and organisations across the UK since 1998 and we’re proud to call Vodafone, the BBC, Credit Suisse, Cable and Wireless and Babcock, TNT, and Barclays amongst our clients.
Our purpose is to create positive, memorable, measurable, and lasting experiences for clients by exciting, engaging, and energising people through activities and tasks! We focus on getting a return on your investment.
We recently had the pleasure of working with a London-based company, Exigere, for their annual team conference. We welcomed the 80-member group to the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) and created an unforgettable experience for them. In the past, they used this time to visit a European city, focusing more on downtime and sundowners. This year, however, they were clear about their intention to maximise the opportunity for personal and team growth during this period of the company’s expansion.
“When managers create a safe environment to express ideas and make suggestions, employees are 31 times (!) more likely to think their workplace is a breeding ground for innovation. Workplaces that have innovative cultures inspire employee loyalty, confidence, and willingness to give extra.” Great Place To Work
Do you need to achieve at least one of these within your team?
At Call of the Wild, we understand that leadership begins with personal development for team success. In our Big Growth phase, we’ve focused on helping leaders and individuals seize development opportunities, sharpen skills, and enhance self-awareness. By maximising individual growth, leaders are better prepared to drive their teams towards collective success.
Managers are at the heart of any organisation, responsible for guiding teams, fostering growth, and driving performance. Yet, a significant gap exists between what employees expect from their managers and what they experience. Recent research highlights this disconnect and underscores the pressing need and the importance of management training.
This morning, the UK woke up to an announcement that has sent waves of excitement through the nation: Oasis, the iconic 90s band, is reuniting. After years of disputes between the Gallagher brothers, Noel and Liam, many fans had given up hope of seeing the band back together. Yet here they are, putting differences aside to rekindle the magic that made them one of the most influential bands of the past few decades.
