Turns out, one of my greatest teachers is 1,200 pounds and covered in fur!

I was literally on a horse before I could walk. 🐎

And I’ve found horsemanship can teach us so much about leadership and changemanagement.

Here’s one thing…

Horses learn from the release of pressure.

Apply pressure (like a nudge with your heel), and the moment they respond as desired, quickly release. That’s when they learn.

Then reward to reinforce. 🎯

Too much pressure?
They get anxious, confused, and turn off their learning brain.

Sound familiar?
People aren’t much different.

Studies show that pressure in the workplace doesn’t spark change — it actually stifles creative problem-solving and adaptability in shifting environments.

So, what can we learn from the way horses learn? A few key takeaways:

👉 Too much pressure creates confusion, not clarity — sustainable change does not come with urgency.

👉 Psychological safety is the release — it tells people “you’re on the right track, keep going.”

👉 Reward the response, not just the result — people learn in the moment they feel understood.

These are words to live by.

These are values.

These are the kind of values I bring into my work as a facilitator and visual collaboration expert. 💛

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🐴 PS: That’s my opinionated horse Siri, she’s taught me so much!
✨ Bonus: A great study on workplace pressure.

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By Darcie Fitzpatrick