Outward Bound Professional:
Testimonials
“Typically we find that when management fails, it’s not due to a lack of technical knowledge, hard work or loyalty. It’s due to what Outward Bound would term the ‘soft skills.’ It is in the areas of leadership, team building, group support, personal self-esteem and confidence that we reap the benefits. Learning how to handle stress in a positive manner is where Outward Bound courses excel for our management people.”
Arthur M. Blank
Founder & Chairman
The Home Depot
“Outward Bound provides a unique experience for teams to face nature’s adversity and improve team effectiveness by winning together. Our few days of Outward Bound experience did more to provided improved team work than the sum of all previous management training experiences.”
Jack M. Scanlon
Sr. Vice President and General Manager
Motorola
“The experience has made a positive impact on new hires and...is an integral part of our analyst/associate orientation.”
Jill Serafin
Vice President, Markets Training
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
"The three days spent together in the Maine woods was the equivalent of working six months together behind desks in Augusta. We went from being a dozen individuals to a close, high performing team almost overnight. We are ready to tackle the challenges facing the state of Maine. I still think that trip was one of the smartest things we did in the first year."
Angus King
Former Governor
State of Maine
"The Technical skills you need to perform a management job are fairly easily acquired at business schools, but people skills are not. The average manager does not necessarily learn in school how to get along with people, how to motivate people, how to lead people. This comes from personal experience and this is where Outward Bound helps."
Bill Coors
President and CEO
Adolph Coors Company
"Your energy, expertise, keen eye for detail, and superb execution were unanimously voted a resounding 10/10. You've made a distinctive mark, leaving the Assistant Store Managers with very tangible insights destined to enhance their leadership and team building skills!"
The Home Depot
"Thank you for the invaluable contribution you and Outward Bound made towards the success of ESPN's Sales and Marketing Meeting. Clearly the program exceeded everyone's expectations."
Christine Hoffman and Sean Bratches
ESPN
"Most importantly, genuine relationships which we believe would have been impossible otherwise were developed through our Outward Bound experience."
Equity Associate Class,
Credit Suisse First Boston
"Leave it to Outward Bound to turn a rainy, windy morning in a slightly chilly basement into laughs, learning and insight."
Ellen Goodman
Partner
Ogilvy & Mather
"We have barely been back a half-day, and I am already seeing dramatic changes in behavior and teamwork. While I am sure that you expect these kinds of results - this has been a watershed event for our team. We have held management retreats with team building exercises for the last 12 years, but nothing compares with the results and accomplishments that we made in the last three days. We are seeing this on both a personal and on a team basis.
In particular, I would like to recognize the efforts of our two facilitators - Kristin Aikin and Doug Pollock. Both of these people are true professionals. They took us a long way, but were able to do it in a very supportive and non-threatening manner. Adding the mountaineering experiences certainly opened a lot of eyes and allowed people to see their possibilities, and the possibilities that our team has in creating a better, larger, and more satisfying company and experience. Thank you for helping our team and the interest of Big O!"
John B. Adams
President
Big O Tires
Great job! I truly enjoyed my Outward Bound experience. Outward Bound exemplifies superb team building skills which resulted in bringing individuals with diverse geographic locations, educational backgrounds and nationalities together to gain insight within themselves and each team member. Although many of us have worked in the same organization for years, we haven't taken the time to get to know each other. The exercises kept us entertained with team involvement and really demonstrated the power of teamwork. Our experience has led us down the road to building a team resulting in sustained performance improvement.
I highly recommend the Outward Bound experience.
Cathy Zink
Vice President
IT Applications
"I believe in the goals of the program. Very diligent and very professional, and at the same time enjoyable to work with. I would highly recommend the program to anyone looking to build an effective team!"
Tad Hendersen
Manager of Trading Desk
Stone & Youngberg
"To win an Olympic medal in the relay event takes an amazing amount of teamwork. One needs not only the speed to do it, but also the trust in your teammates that they are capable of performing to extra ordinary heights, beyond what they have ever done before. Putting it all on the line for that gold medal involves risk. Outward Bound helped our athletes to experience taking risk, knowing you had your team behind you. It helped our team to bond better as a team, to trust each other in pressure situations, and for many of the athletes, to overcome fears and conquer the seemingly unconquerable. "
Susan Ellis
National Team Coach
US Speed Skating
"Most importantly, genuine relationships which we believe would have been impossible otherwise were developed through our Outward Bound experience."
Equity Associate Class
Credit Suisse First Boston
"In the short time that has elapsed since the Outward Bound experience. I have seen numerous examples of more cooperation, more sensitivity, and tolerance of others needs and expectations."
Robert Elmore
Director
Arthur Andersen
"Our few days of Outward Bound experience did more to improve teamwork than the sum of all previous management training experiences."
Jack Scanlon
Senior VP and General Manager
Motorola
"The course re-emphasized the importance of letting team members express ideas and really listening to them. It helped unify the team."
Mark McNamee
Snyder Oil Company
"Our staff of supervisors and managers used Outward Bound as a springboard to change from strictly task oriented operation to one that focused on relationships and the process of serving our customers. It was important that they developed new behaviors out in the wilderness setting. It lifted their spirits, made them a team with a common model of experience and taught them to ask questions and listen to subordinates. I'd call it a Total Quality Management Journey."
Peter Laux
Manager of Training & Development for Corporate Services
Texas Instruments
"I learned many things about myself and others, and about what can be accomplished when people work together towards a common goal. I came away from Outward Bound with more than I expected—more self-confidence, compassion, faith in others and energy to get the job done. The personal and professional value of Outward Bound is unequaled in my experience."
Mike VanBuren
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
"The day was so worthwhile. You chose activities that highlighted teamwork, problem solving, and team functioning that were suited to the physical capabilities of our group. Returning to work on Monday I found there was a new atmosphere with renewed energy. I highly recommend your program to a multitude of different management teams."
Rebecca Astell
Ashland Community Hospital
"Outward Bound Professional provided an eye-opening experience which provided immediate and tangible benefits. We learned new, relevant skills in a fun, exciting, and challenging environment ñ trust, teamwork, and accountability. Their Senior Facilitator was key to the experience! I highly recommend utilizing Outward Bound Professional to help tap into the potential of people."
Dennis Mahoney
Vice President
Learning Solutions Alliance
"I am a strong supporter of Outwards Bound's process and the value they deliver. The program had a great impact upon our sales team. Outward Bound always comes through for us. I highly recommend Outward Bound to any organization that wants to focus on their people's values, skills, and knowledge."
Art Thurnauer
Director Management Development
Pfizer
"I am happy to recommend OB to all my friends and colleagues at the University. The progress we made in areas of problem solving, trust, communication, risk-taking, and teamwork was remarkable. I had high expectations of OB, and they came through magnificently, with professionalism and an attention to our specific needs that was impressive."
Drew Borland
San Francisco State University
"This is just what we needed, Outward Bound Professional gave us the opportunity to take a breath and look back over what we were able to accomplish in the past two years. The facilitators were able to help us use our past experiences in the activities to make them more relevant to our business environment."
Mike Hanna
Executive Vice President
Louisiana-Pacific
"Your program opened pathways for better communication throughout our divisions. There is a newfound respect within our management team. New friendships amongst our members have also blossomed. We have already learned of a few who have called on each other for advice!"
Salwa Saheed
AccountPros/Human Resources International
"When other organizations focused on why we could not do things, Outward Bound focused on making it happen. The value of their services greatly outweighed their costs. We are looking forward to a long-term relationship with Outward Bound. I really appreciate all of the hard work and dedication! It was just what we needed. Thank you for wanting it to be a success."
Sabra Bradshaw
Director Professional Development and Research
Lewis & Clark College
