Seven-day programme at Aves, Montezuma, Costa Rica
Seven-day residential women's leadership programme led by Karen Downes and Gäelle Deschamps
This is a time like no other, where the decisions we make will create our future and define our legacy. The world is calling for a new kind of leadership.
Leading with Grace & Resilience is a programme for women business leaders, change makers, senior executives and social entrepreneurs, who are committed to bringing about societal and systemic change. This will involve leaving behind the dominant business models that have failed us and integrating the qualities of what we call the ‘deep feminine’ with the ’deep masculine’ to create more humane corporate cultures and social enterprises that have a positive impact in the world. This whole-person, integral approach is transformational and will support you to bring about the changes you wish to see in your life, your organisation and in the wider world.
Creating new paradigm of leadership
Women everywhere are speaking up, standing up and walking forward to take their place as leaders of the transformation that is needed. The feminine principle is being embodied, restoring sanity to the corridors of business and empowering changemakers of all ages. However, the old systems and the old ways of operating and leading are not serving this transformation. We can create a new paradigm that does by Leading with Grace and Resilience. Grace is experienced when we are in flow; it is an energy that moves through every living system. It is available to us as a potent resource to call upon, tap into and utilise to bring about the personal, organisational and societal changes that are so needed in a world that many can no longer make sense of. Resilience requires fortitude; courage in the face of fear. True resilience is what enables us to keep going; a capacity needed to rise time and time again, even in the face of setbacks, to be agile and respond to constant change and to stay true to our values and purpose when the going gets tough.
This is our time
Whether starting a movement or pioneering a new initiative, this is the time for exemplary leaders who have a vision and a commitment to something greater than themselves. They are the ones that work on the radical mastery of their inner capacities; healing past traumas and betrayals, observing and moving beyond ego for the greater good, trusting innate wisdom, acting on intuition and applying rational thinking. It’s time to renew, restore and rise to bring about the shift that is needed in all sectors of society by Leading with Grace and Resilience.
This workshop is for women only. All self-identifying women are welcome.
Your programme
1. Enhanced self-awareness
Understanding why we have developed the survival strategies and coping mechanisms we have and how to go beyond them for more joy and pleasure in your life
Introducing neuroscience research to help you ‘make sense’ of why you do what you do
Building a foundation of ‘true’ resilience which enables you to have greater capacity in dealing with uncertainty and change
Developing new ways of moving in the world that influence how you think and speak
2. Radical self-responsibility
Transforming outdated beliefs and counter-productive behaviours that no longer serve you
Developing the necessary resource needed to move from reactivity to response-ability
Observing your ways of ‘being’ and ‘acting’ in the world that shape your life and understanding your impact on others
Expanding the 4 inner resources of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual intelligence
3. Core presence
Developing a source of inner strength to enhance self-worth and live from what you most care about
Building the capacity to embody equanimity in any situation to retain your agency
Developing courage and skill to reveal and transform conflict
Crafting a new story, a stand and commitment that’s life enhancing and brings you joy
4. Community building
Understanding the difference between force and power, to engage and empower others
Learning the principles of growing a vibrant, resilient and connected community
Developing new ways to communicate that engage and inspire others
Experiencing the power of vulnerability, authenticity and transparency to build trusted relationships
5. Shaping the future
Envisioning a vibrant and inspiring future for yourself and those you lead
Translating your vision into reality, with practical actions and clear milestones
Forging your community that will support you going forward
Celebrating the new paradigm of leadership you have stepped into
Our time together
This is not only time away, it is a sacred space, a retreat from business as usual; to reflect, heal, restore and rebuild your energy, passion and commitment. It is an opportunity to come together as women, to have powerful conversations we need to have with ourselves and with others about what it takes to lead, to speak about what we are often afraid to say, to heal the past, to build capacity that will enable us to respond to personal and collective challenges, to rediscover pleasure versus pressure in life and work, find joy within and be inspired and empowered by other great women leaders.
Where we will be
Aves, Montezuma, Costa Rica
You will be captivated by the stunning natural beauty and luxury of this Retreat Hotel nestled in the tropical landscape of the beach town of Montezuma. Aves is located in one of five Blue Zones in the world, where people live the longest and healthiest.
What’s included
7 nights Accommodation in this luxurious tropical location
Healthy meals every day prepared by Maya from the famous local restaurant ‘Puggos’
Morning Meditation & Yoga
Access to the entire resort including 3 swimming pools
Sacred Cacao Firepit and other local healing Ceremonies
Visit to the local Montezuma Waterfall | Beach walks
Visit to the Cabuya National Park
Empowerment Boot Camp class with Vivien
Leading with Grace and Resilience workbook and personal journal
A set of ‘Leadership Quality Cards’
Aromatherapy oils
Celebratory Champagne Dinner
Oceanview Sound Journey for release and relaxation
Healing Breathwork session
Music Session for Deep Healing
Access to the Grace and Resilience online community
About the work and your facilitators
Karen Downes is a social entrepreneur, thought leader, author and facilitator for catalysing transformation at all levels of society. In the mid 80’s at just 26 years old and a single mother, she founded and built an aromatherapy company from kitchen table-top into a multi-million dollar enterprise, pioneering Aromatherapy in Australia. At the same time establishing the Australasian College of Aromatherapy, training 25 therapists. Karen moved to London and built a successful career in consulting, coaching and facilitating leadership development programmes around the world. She has dedicated the past four decades of her personal and professional life to transform outdated social norms that diminish life, elevate human consciousness and bring about systemic change that serves all. She has worked in grassroots initiatives in the global south to transformational leadership programmes in the north, leading with grace and resilience. Her work is in service to our human and planetary flourishing. As the director of FemmeQ Karen has hosted 5 international Feminine Intelligence Summits in 4 countries. She is a proud mother of her daughter Rebecca and currently lives between Costa Rica and the UK.
The full programme
For more information about the programme and accommodation, including the flow of the day and what to expect, please download and read our brochure here.
Registration
Deluxe king suite US$4,395
Deluxe Single US$3,995
Deluxe shared US$3,695
An earlybird discount of 10% will apply if you register before 15th August 2022
Optional follow-up integration coaching
We are also offering, in addition, the option to participate in 6 months of follow-up integration coaching following the retreat, from December 2022 to May 2023.
Cost: GBP £1,500 or US $1800.00
What’s included: 6 x 1-hour coaching sessions over the course of 6 months to support you in embedding and sustaining the practices and new ways of leading gained in the programme. 3 x facilitated 90 hour online community meetups with Karen.
Please contact Karen Downes directly should you have questions or to understand the programme more deeply - karen@theflourishinitiative.com.
Please read our terms & conditions here which are accepted upon receipt of payment.