Sauk County Institute of Leadership Provides “Leadership in Nature” Experience
On Thursday, April 10th, the Sauk County Institute of Leadership participants visited White Mound County Park for their eighth session to explore “Leadership in Nature, or Natural Leadership”.
The objective of the day was to create an immersive, outdoor-based leadership session designed to cultivate strong, authentic leaders through connection with the natural environment.
Combining an outdoor experience with meaningful dialogue, the program invited participants to step outside the traditional classroom and into Sauk County’s scenic landscapes at White Mound, where leadership lessons unfolded organically through nature, self-reflection, and community conversations.
Throughout the experience, local leaders shared real-world insights that sparked deep reflection and action:
Matt Stieve, Sauk County Parks Manager, emphasized the importance of building relationships, trust, cooperation, collaboration, and patience which are fundamental qualities for effective leadership and community building.
Dorothy Harms, co-founder of the Farmer Angel Network, reminded participants that “out of tragedy comes action.” She shared the network’s mission to support mental health and resilience in farming communities through capacity building, building community and community outreach.
Paul Dietmann of Compeer Financial offered valuable insight into the financial pressures faced by Sauk County farms, helping participants better understand the real economic challenges that local producers navigate every day and the leadership needed to sustain agriculture in our area.
Serge Koenig from Sauk County Land Resources and Environment encouraged participants to dig deeper and ask the big questions: “Why? What gets you out of bed? Why do you do what you do?” His message, grounded in both personal motivation and sustainable farming practices, explored the benefits of managed grazing, highlighting the positive financial and environmental impacts it can bring to local farms and the broader community.
UW-Madison Extension Sauk County educator Morgan McArthur led a session on the Challenges of Change, inviting the group to examine where they are in various aspects of their lives and to question whether they might be stuck. SCIL encourages leaders to leave the comfort zone in favor of the stretch zone.
A highlight of the day for the group was a walking discussion about leadership with a partner from the class. Several participants had never experienced the beauty and peace of White Mound and all agreed that being in nature was good to gain a new perspective on leadership.
These conversations remind us that leadership is not just about titles or roles. It is about connection, purpose, and the courage to show up for others.
Written by: David Clemens and Carrie Kingcade
