Let me transport you: having spent all day with our special force instructors, learning how to make an emergency shelter out of ‘bush treasure’, we observe 12 senior managers from a national construction company, working quietly and (sometimes) effectively to build their shelters for the evening. Rain wasn’t forecast, but we are snuggled in a valley in the lower reaches of the Tararua Mountain Ranges, and there’s always a 65% chance of evening ‘mountain mist’. Not rain, just very heaving dew – you can probably read my sarcasm dripping like the leaves…

Life is challenging enough at the best of times; add in a little global pandemic, lots of financial uncertainty - keep in mind our personalities - and we can create a perfect storm in our minds. Some of us will have excited ninjas and talking pandas coursing through our excited minds, others will conjure up deadly conspiracies, evil governments and too many cows with flatulence – always choosing the worst-case scenario. (Negative Bias Preference) 

During the Middle Ages, rats were responsible for the transfer of fleas that carried the deadly Black Plague. A bounty was placed upon each rat that was caught. It was not necessary to produce the entire rat as proof of capture; the rat's hind quarters were cut from the body - leaving only the tail and the "arse". The amount paid by the local governments was approximately equivalent to a penny a dozen.  The rat’s arses would be presented as a bundle and exchanged for money.  However there became so many rats the price dropped incredibly low and they were almost worthless. 

Hence the phrase -"not worth a rat's ass" – “don’t give a rat’s arse”. 

Sally Duxfield, who lives in the foothills of the Tararua Forest Park, is an industry leader in the art of experiential architecture, designing and delivering leadership coaching and programmes to inspire change. Her book Dream, Plan, Do, Beis a how-to book written for busy people who want to learn how to reduce stress, decrease anxiety and overwhelm, and gain control of their busy lives.

Sophie Trigger finds that the towels are fluffy but the approach - albeit wholly beneficial - is anything but, while staying at Arete for its Women in Leadership Retreat.

Here's the latest Elephant Rider Interview featuring me! We sat down at our beautiful retreat and chatted about leading teams, emotions at work, and The Emotional Culture Deck.