Leadership Development Expeditions
Develop your leadership skills through faculty-led adventure expeditions.
Through Leadership Development Expedition (LDE) courses, students develop their capacity for leadership and build a deep understanding of their own strengths and contributions as a leader in a high-performing team.
LDE courses draw on outdoor experiential education theory and challenge participants to serve as leaders during an adventure expedition. These courses build leadership skills through a combination of rigorous academic inquiry into the nature of leadership, honest self-assessment and reflection, and hands-on experiences in challenging environments.
Who can take Leadership Development Expedition courses?
LDE courses are offered for all MBA students at the Carey Business School. Full-time MBA students can take the LDE Belize course during the January intersession term as one of their experiential course electives required for the program. Flex MBA students can take either the LDE Belize course during the January intersession term or the LDE Norway course during the Summer term in July.
CIL also offers LDE courses for practicing leaders and executives in partnership with the Carey Business School’s Office of Executive Education. Learn more below about opportunities to participate in an Executive LDE to summit Cotopaxi, one of the world’s tallest active volcanoes, or about custom executive treks for organizations wishing to develop high potential managers and build a pipeline of strong leaders.
Amanda Hayes, Flexible MBA, ’20, had never participated in strenuous outdoor excursions. When she partnered with a former marine in her kayak (Corbin Catmull, Flexible MBA, '19) on LDE Belize, she learned to lead across different experiences and perspectives. “It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It was absolutely transformative.” Said Hayes, “If you’re hesitating to register because of any fear, ignore that fear. That’s even more reason for you to aim to do it. The course shows you so much about yourself. And the payoff is huge—the friends, the experience—we’ll never get that again.”
LDE Norway
The Norway Leadership Development Expedition course takes place in the mountains of Norway starting from the town of Bergen.
Spanning nine days, students will trek through Norway’s famous mountains, traverse glacial fields, and ultimately reach some of the highest points in Scandinavia.
The group will work together as an expedition team to navigate along trails and terrain, moving each day between various Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) cabins and huts. Each individual will be responsible for leading the group through various challenges and working together, at times, literally connected to one another while trekking across the glacier.
Throughout the trip, students will focus on enhancing individual and team performance, learn and apply appropriate leadership models, and provide and receive structured feedback. Food and lodging will be in rustic DNT cabins.
Program Costs
- 2-credit Carey Tuition Fee
- Course Program Fee (covers all in-country transportation, lodging, meals and activity fees during course dates). Program fees will be listed in SIS for each course.
- Students are responsible for their own international airfare, pre- and post-course expenses, travel insurance and travel documentation (including a passport and visa)
Physical Demands
This is a physically challenging course which requires approximately 10 miles of hiking each day at a moderate pace. Participants should be in good physical health and able to walk/hike for more than five hours per day with regular rest breaks. However, students do not need any prior mountaineering experience. For students with physical disabilities or needs that might require accommodations, or if you have any questions about the level of physical activity, please contact Mike Doyle (mdoyle@jhu.edu) to discuss options.
Register for the Next Expedition
Register for the course in the upcoming Summer term in SIS using the course code BU.003.893.
LDE Belize
The Belize Leadership Development Expedition course places students on barrier islands off the coast of Belize, starting upon arrival in the capital Belize City.
Over the course of nine days, the group will work together as an expedition team to kayak, navigate, cook, eat, and set up camp on remote islands along Belize’s pristine coastal waterways.
Students will experience the first-hand challenges of leading a group in a remote destination, relying on themselves and their teammates to successfully reach each island and provide the team with meals and shelter. Students will reflect on this challenge to develop their own conceptualization and practice of leadership.
Throughout the trip, students will focus on enhancing individual and team performance, learn and apply appropriate leadership models, and provide and receive structured feedback. Island Expeditions provides trip logistics and local guides to support the trek and teach students about life in Belize.
"I discovered that the school was unafraid to challenge traditional methods and established patterns of business education... the experience to not simply read case studies about leadership but to practice it is a rare opportunity that I encourage all, who can, to do.”
James Gyenes, Flexible MBA, '20
Program Costs
- 2-credit Carey Tuition Fee
- Note: Full-time MBA students do not pay an additional tuition fee beyond their full-time yearly tuition.
- Course Program Fee (covers all in-country transportation, lodging, meals and activity fees during course dates). Program fees will be listed in SIS for each course.
- Students are responsible for their own international airfare, pre- and post-course expenses, travel insurance and travel documentation (including a passport and visa)
Physical Demands
This is a physically challenging course which requires four to six hours of sea kayaking each day at a moderate pace with regular breaks. Participants should be in good physical health and able to sit in a boat for more than one to two hours at a time. However, students do not need any prior sea kayaking experience to participate. For students with physical disabilities or needs that might require accommodations, or if you have any questions about the level of physical activity, please contact Mike Doyle (mdoyle@jhu.edu) to discuss options.
Register for the Next Expedition
Register for the course in the upcoming Intersession term in SIS using the course code BU.003.893.
Executive LDE
How do you build the leadership skills needed to navigate your team through uncertainty and difficult situations? Put yourself in a controlled, high-stakes situation with Johns Hopkins leadership experts by your side.
The Cotopaxi Leadership Development Expedition is a nine-day, intensive trek where practicing leaders and managers work collaboratively with a team of fellow executive education participants to climb Mt. Cotopaxi in Ecuador.
Summit one of the world’s highest active volcanoes and use leadership skills gained on the trek to climb in your career.
On the climb, find solutions to difficult challenges and gain experience giving and receiving effective feedback. Build effective communication and conflict resolution skills. Gain group decision-making skills to reach consensus efficiently and effectively. Reveal untapped aptitudes and attitudes. Develop a sense of agility to lead through changes and unforeseen circumstances. And strengthen your ability to empathize with those around you.
Working one-and-one with Johns Hopkins faculty, and engaging in thorough debriefing and learning sessions with other participants, participants will learn how to translate the teaming skills developed on the mountain directly into their own workplace leadership.
This Leadership Development Expedition is offered through Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Executive Education.
Before the Expedition
Attend two virtual classroom sessions prior to the expedition to engage with fellow team members, set team dynamics, and review leadership styles. Complete a personal reflection and 360-degree assessment of your leadership strengths and opportunities. Collaborate with Johns Hopkins faculty on crafting your personal goals. Then travel with the cohort and begin with a team retreat once landed in Ecuador. In addition to learning from the course faculty, you will learn from the experiences of your peers. Courses typically attract managers from various industries and sectors. Build a professional network as well as friendships while you learn together and from one another.
During the Climb
Each day of the program begins with a team meeting and the appointment of the day’s leader. Johns Hopkins faculty work with each climber individually, providing observations and guidance on meeting your pre-determined goals. Via individual coaching sessions, faculty give specific feedback on translating your strengths and struggles to opportunities in the workplace.
After the Summit
After summiting the mountain, the group debriefs together and enjoys a celebratory final dinner. Johns Hopkins faculty lead final individual coaching sessions with tangible action steps on implementing your takeaways in your work. Develop your own path as a leader and join an ever-growing network of Leadership Development Expedition alumni across industries and sectors.
Physical Demands
This is a physically challenging program at high altitude. The trek is beginner-friendly, but participants must be in strong physical condition. Strength and endurance training will be required.
Custom Expeditions
Custom LDE courses for organizations are available in Belize, Norway, or Ecuador, and are a powerful way to grow your organization’s leadership pipeline and team effectiveness outside of the typical nine-to-five environment. During the highly immersive week-long excursion, you'll learn to establish goal-setting techniques through exercises in feedback and reflection while empowering the team around you and advancing your professional goals.
To discuss creating a custom LDE for your team or organization, please reach out to the Executive Education team: