#109 Silence, Solitude and Self-Leadership – lessons from Africa w/ Dr Boy Van Droffelaar

What do you do when after having a successful corporate career for many decades you turn 60 and retire? You go to Africa, of course. And you start bringing other executives with you to help them to reconnect with nature and become better leaders. Well, at least that’s what Dr. Boy Van Droffelaar did. In this episode of Timeless Teaching, My guest today is a former corporate executive turned wilderness and leadership guide who, at 60, began leading leadership retreats in the African wilderness. He has done it for 10 years and led his last group when he was 70. With over 2,500 participants joining his transformative journeys, Dr. Van Droffelaar shares his insights on nature’s impact, self-discovery, and the power of silence and presence. Join us as we dive into his journey from boardrooms to riverbanks and what he’s learned about leadership, life, and love along the way!

Discussions Points: Silence, Solitude and Self-Leadership

• What drives a man to reinvent himself at 60?
• Nature’s “billion-star hotel” – more than just a view
• Alone in the wilderness: a moment of pure stillness
• The “talking stick” lesson every leader needs to learn
• Walking among giants: an unforgettable lesson of respect
• Can nature reveal who we really are?
• Age is just a number when you find purpose
• Why true leadership begins with listening
• Love and care: the hidden strength in leadership
• A journey home: discovering what truly matters

Our Guest: Dr. Boy Van Droffelaar

Dr. Boy Van Droffelaar currently works at the Department of Cultural Geography, Wageningen University & Research. He does research in Quantitative Social Research and Qualitative Social Research. Their current project is ‘The role of wilderness experiences in leaders’ development toward authentic leadership’.