“Higher Ground Leadership® means for me that I know in my heart what it feels like to be touched by the Hand of God, I know God as I am one with God. The experience has changed my life as I now have an inner knowing of and live my destiny (to free human consciousness!!). I am now defining my character and calling as I can feel it, it’s in my bones; every moment is an opportunity to uncover, discover, unlearn, learn and align to a higher purpose, to live the gentleness, grace and beauty of life. My life is now on a different trajectory, I navigate in the unknown peacefully. The Higher Ground Leadership® learning experience is gentle and graceful; it is a gift to humanity and a chance to rise through love.”
Jean-François Basse, Rowan Drilling (U.K.) Ltd
My purpose in life that had eluded me for so many years became crystal clear during my week at the Higher Ground Leadership Learning Experience. I was supported in being much more courageous and authentic that I have ever been before. The processes and encouragement from Lance and his very wise faculty inspired me to listen to my soul, and commit to using my talents in service to the world.
Jan Marie Dore, PCC, Executive Coach,
CoachVille Higher Ground Leadership® Community Coach
No words seem enough to fully describe the impact of the HGL learning experience ... the joy of spending REAL time with like minds ... inspired souls is just the beginning. This is an experience that inspires courage and possibility personally, and it’s an inspiration that stays with you beyond your experience together. This has been a turning point in my life and I know that my ability to make a difference in the world will be greater as a result of this experience. Thank you Lance and your inspired team of facilitators ... you are a gift!
Sue Lindsay, Director, TakeAction! Limited
"It was wonderful to discover a philosophy of leadership that taught me to apply wisdom in addition to learning and service in addition to management, delivered with substantive depth, experientially and traditionally, by a team of experts with credible experience in the "real" world."
It is hard to put so much into so few words, when all I really want to say is a big fat, "thank you", smile awhile and hug a few people. Namaste.”
Sue Carruthers, FAHP, President & CEO BC Children's Hospital Foundation
"The August 2005 Leadership Retreat was life changing. Through the power of circle, amazing facilitators and colleagues from around the work that gathered, my Destiny, Character, Calling became clearer and aligned. Together we supported each other to 'not play small' anymore. I am thrilled to be one of the international Advisory Circle members for Lance's new work, and support others to bring the message of ONE and inspired leadership to the world."
C. Tupper, MA, CEC
The Higher Ground Leadership® Learning Experience is an incredible experience. It is an amazing journey into the Soul ... Our soul ... In an incredibly safe, supporting and warm environment, I laughed, cried, connected with myself and other remarkable Souls whose destinies are linked ... as We are One. If you are tired of the old story of manipulations, lies, and intimidations, then this is for you. If you are ready to be Courageous, Authentic, of Service, Truthful, Love and Effective, then this is for you. Thank you to the Secretan Centre and Rob, Susan and Ken for making this week a truly life-changing experience. Thank you Lance for being who you are ...
Elizabeth Skronski, Certified Business Coach,
Personal and Executive Coach and Creative Mentor, RISE International
For me, the Higher Ground Leadership Learning Experience was an opportunity to give thoughtful consideration to how I intend to be in the world and make choices that are truly a fit for who I am. It was rich learning, facilitated by wise and loving guides, and shared with equally eager “students” from whom I gained much. While my experience, knowledge, and insights acquired are tremendously valuable, the most treasured gifts from the week are the greater understanding of myself and the honest and deep relationships that were born during that time.
The Higher Ground Leadership® Learning Experience is a worthwhile investment for anyone who truly wants to live and lead with love, courage, authenticity, wisdom, and grace.
Shonnie Lavender, Leadership Coach & Speaker
As with any experiential situation, it is hard to describe the events and impact of the Learning Experience. Overall it was very positive – it opened up doors in my mind that I had closed long ago. Sometimes it was painful – I am not one to openly show some emotions and there were points were those emotions were very evident. It always felt safe – Susan, Rob and Ken did a wonderful job in providing us a sanctuary in which we could open up and share our stories, our experiences and our learning. I have felt for some time that I am on a journey, or at least on a new path related to the journey I have been taking, and the week of the Learning Experience accelerated that journey. I learned some new ideas, concepts and approaches to life and reinforced some of the ones that I already possessed. I learned the power of keeping things simple, of listening before speaking, not interrupting or filling in the silence or trying to finish the other person’s thoughts as they occasionally stumble over what they want to say. Most importantly, I learned more about myself and who I am.
I came away from the week with what is for me a wonderfully simple but elegant Destiny, Character and Calling. It took the entire week to arrive at it and it was greatly assisted by Lance providing me an insight into how to look for the core of what is hidden in what can only be called a rambling stream of consciousness. He stood beside me for a few moments looking at all the words that I had written down, and there were many, trying to define the “terra threats” that bother me the most and, with that kind of insight that I love, said, “Jim, quite simply what bothers you is violence and greed”. That led me to realize that I was trying to make my why/be/do too grandiose, too filled with context, and not at all sounding like me. I went back and stripped out all the unnecessary words and came up with the following – 20 words that I can remember and recite to myself and to others:
My Destiny: To make the world a kinder place. My Character: To create an awareness of the possibilities My Calling: To teach, guide and inspire teams.
I recognize that these are just place holders. That I will fill in the blanks with my stories and my actions. I have already started to use these at home and at work. What fascinates me is that people want to listen! Namaste!
Jim MacNaughton, Jacobus Associates Inc.
"During the Higher Ground Leadership® Experience, I was able to connect deeply and firmly to my soul like never before. I was able to access and know my higher truth, and since then, I've had much more courage to live out my Destiny in my daily life. Now, six months later, I am living and loving more fully and more authentically. Everything, from my work to my personal health to my relationships, has improved as a result of living and practicing Higher Ground Leadership®. Since the retreat, I have continued to study and practice Higher Ground Leadership® through a self-designed course using Lance's videos, CDs, and books as my curriculum materials. Higher Ground Leadership® is "the way" I've always wanted to live my life, but I never before had a model to guide me or a mentor to show me. The Leadership Experience and the resulting changes in my life have been nothing short of profound."
Michelle Demers Huse, MBA
Business and Life Coach,
Total Business Fitness
The most encouraging thing of all is that when I get in conversations with people—e.g., What do you do?—Or with my friends who already know what I currently do, but I tell them what I am embarking on next, then go on to describe the Higher Ground vision and principles, they love it. The enthusiasm about changing the world by reawakening spirit and values in the workplace is unfettered. Our contemporary Western culture so wants us to bring it on. I encourage us all to remember that. This wasn't simply a profound week in our lives—this was a call to lead the initiative in whatever ways each of us can.
Ken Jacobsen
President, CourageWorks, Inc.
My first opportunity for re-entry into reality following the Learning Experience was at Toronto airport. There was an elderly man in a wheelchair receiving oxygen, who had to get onto the small turbo prop plane headed for Baltimore. The flight was about 10 minutes delayed, waiting for special equipment that was needed to get him on board. So the guy next to me at the gate said out loud, "Just strap the (expletive name for the elderly man) to the wing." Similar to what Dorothy said about Kansas after landing in Oz, I knew I wasn't in "the Circle" anymore.
