Twelve emerging leaders from Western Australia will this now have the chance to gain insight into their management methods and leadership styles while navigating, rafting, camping and climbing through the Walpole Wilderness on a seven day professional development program being released exclusively to West Australians.

The Catalyst program, which is being launched by not-for-profit experiential education organisation Outward Bound Australia, has been running successfully on the east-coast for over 6 years and is this week being released in Western Australia with a two-for-one-exclusive deal for WA professionals.

Bunbury based participant from The Laminex Group, Aaron Story, who travelled across the country last year to attend Catalyst on the east-coast said the course has had enormous benefits to his professional development.

“Talk about stretching our comfort zones straight off the mark,” said Aaron.

“It was emotionally exhausting, yes, but the sheer toughness and mental strain made us so busy that the days flew by, which was good as we started at 6:00am in the morning and never finished until at least 9:00 or 10:00pm most nights - sleeping was not a problem.”

“The activities and challenges we completed taught me how lines of communication can break down without the correct structure. Understanding this concept has helped me enormously when it comes to leading my team,” said Aaron.

“We learnt how to get others motivated when it wasn’t a task that they would normally excel at. Positive reinforcement and the feeling that everyone was in it together and had the same goal was a huge motivation when it got real tough – this is something I have brought back with me to the office.”

Outward Bound CEO Darren Black said the program uses high-impact wilderness activities and experiential learning to explore the concepts of effective leadership.

“Catalyst develops the practical skills of leadership, increases staff productivity, builds long-lasting leaders and fosters strong team connections,” said Mr Black.

“Outward Bound Australia has a long history of developing the management skills of emerging leaders and building strong corporate teams through helping them realise their potential in an outdoor learning environment.

“We’ve worked with teams from companies on the east coast for over six years, including The Fletcher Group, Boral and Evans and Peck and are now excited to offer the program to emerging business leaders in Western Australia.”

The two-for-one offer is available for West Australian businesses, not-for-profits and government agencies to attend the April 19^th-25^th program. To find out more information contact Eva Breidenbach, Free call 1800 267 999 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To read the article on Outward Bound's homepage, click here.