Some people are afraid of horses - They’re so big, imposing and powerful, especially when galloping full throttle, sounding like thunder as their hooves repel the ground.

It’s always a challenge to face your fears, especially when learning to ride a horse. But like anything it’s a process, and many of the lessons that you’ll acquire on horseback have relevance and application in leadership, like motivating and influencing a team to pursue a common mission.

Like any sport or passion, horse-riding is more than a tactical endeavour. It’s not just about technical or physical dimensions. It consumes you; absorbing you intellectually, spiritually and emotionally.

What we learn in the saddle can be applied to leadership. I assure you.. So for any leader looking to become more effective,, here are 5 tips we can learn from Horse-riding:

1 - Energy is Contagious, so Apply it!

Energy passes through objects and beings, through you and your horse. A good rider connects with their horse and learns to use that energy.

The same principle applies in business, in leading an organization.

Leaders cannot control everything, but great leaders can connect with others.. As a leader, you can control your energy in a certain situation — At a meeting, a seminar, a public forum, or just around the office.

When all eyes are on you, the audience or your team will sense if you are angry, afraid, frustrated or uncertain, and react accordingly. Just like a Horse.

By learning to harness the power of our energy, we can influence those around us. Leadership is the ability to entrust others in a calm, focused and positive manner.

2 - Notice Non-Verbal Cues

Your body is energy, a powerful instrument to communicate with your horse - everything from balance to posture matters. The same is true for people. So acknowledge employees in the office, in hallways. Sit with good posture, balance, and walk with a calm confidence.

The way you hold yourself matters because it sends a subtle signal.

People notice unconscious cues, unconsciously.

The way you conduct yourself is an important tool as a leader, it influences the message you’re trying to convey.

3 - Be Aware of Your Emotional Intelligence

Emotional awareness is critical for confidence. Likewise, your state of mind determines your horse’s response and performance. If you’re nervous, or lack confidence, your Horse will sense it.

Horses are like people, in that your optimism will have an impact, whether you realize or not.

High emotional intelligence empowers you to consciously choose your response in any situation. So choose to act in a calm, centered and pragmatic state, no matter what the circumstances are.

4 - Core is Fore in Leadership

The most important asset for a rider has is not the fancy boots, the branded Hat, Saddle or Jodhpurs. Nope. It’s simply his or her core.

All top athletes know that strength derives from their core.

The ability to control your horse’s speed and direction is dependant on your core strength. For leaders, it’s important to believe in the core of your mission, that and of course your own ability to lead a team to succeed.

So when challenges arise, take a deep breath and go back to basics, your core, it has your back.

5 - Empathy, Empathy, Empathy … is Vital

You can motivate horses by 1 of 2 methods:

1. Positive reinforcement - Apples or carrots

2. Negative reinforcement - A stick

For leaders, the “carrot” is by far the most effective approach - empathy.

When your horse, I mean team, is spooked, a stick will not help you understand what is bothering it, I mean them. Take a breath and ask: “what’s going on and why?” … Watch what happens. 

Final Thoughts

Horse’s lose respect, interest rather, if their rider lacks leadership.

As I said Horses are like people, so have a need to feel a sense of value - they experience fulfillment by knowing they are doing great work. Like Horses, employees invested in their work feel a sense of satisfaction being part of a team.

Neither Horses nor people need to like you, but will respect you if you’re an effective leader.

For a leader in the saddle, learn to set goals and adhere to them. All goals, grounded in commitment and forbearance, exhibits confidence and trust.

You can always pivot!

Horse-riding can teach us a lot about leadership and leading a company. Plus, you get to learn a lot about you.