Católica Porto Business School’s (CPBS) answer was simple: take the students out of their comfort zone and directly onto a small Sail-boat.
MUCH MORE THAN A WALK IN THE DOURO
Sailing activities are no longer just leisure time, but a practical part of the students’ academic and executive training. On a Sail-boat, the river and the wind behave like the business world: unpredictable, demanding and constantly changing.
WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM A CORPORATE REGATTA?
– Leadership and Decision Making: In a sailing boat in competition, indecision is not an option. The team must anticipate their opponents’ maneuvers and act quickly. Mistakes become an immediate learning opportunity, promoting the ability to lead under pressure without blockages.
– Communication and Conflict Management: With the noise of the wind and the demands of the maneuvers, communication must be clear, direct and effective. This scenario is ideal for identifying and correcting communication failures, guiding the team towards problem-solving.
– Trust and Interdependence: In a race, no one sails alone. The performance of those at the rudder depends on the precision of those controlling the sails. This shared responsibility breaks down traditional organizational “silos”, aligning the entire crew around a common goal.
THE VISION OF THOSE WHO LEAD
The success of this model is not only measured by the experience on the water, but by the impact that the participants take back to their organizations. The perspective of those designing the future of leadership in Portugal reinforces this approach:
“Over the last few years, as part of our partnership with BBDouro, as a member of the Corporate Club of Católica Porto Business School, we have provided our students with sailing team building experiences that uniquely complement classroom learning.
By placing them in a real, demanding and unpredictable context, these activities challenge leadership, communication, decision-making and conflict management skills in real time. Sailing requires coordination, trust and shared responsibility, central dimensions for those who lead organizations.
This experiential component reinforces Católica Porto Business School’s mission to develop leaders capable of innovating, transforming and generating a positive impact on organizations and society.”
– João Pinto, Dean, Católica Porto Business School
ALL ABOARD?
The example of Católica Porto Business School proves that team building on the water is much more than a day well spent away from the office – it’s a direct investment in your team’s emotional and operational intelligence.
If this is the format chosen to train the leaders of tomorrow, imagine the immediate impact it could have on the professionals in your company.
