Sharing the Story of
WELLth Learning Network
WELLth Learning Network (WELLth) took flight in 1990, incorporated in 1996.
To know from whence we came … here's a short history of WELLth Learning Network and this website WELLthLearning.com
It's first programming supported outdoor adventure gatherings for women and men, including the first workshop Leveraging Optimal Experience, was held at an outdoor camp near Bragg Creek, Alberta. The original brochure is below.
Additional personal programming called LAMP – Life Awareness Mapping Program, was made available.
Then we offered team and group experiences using the outdoors and white water rafting as a metaphor to bring to life management excellence, leadership excellence, management learning and management development. In addition, organizational culture programs were implemented with TELUS (x2), the University of Calgary and various small businesses seeking insight into their growth and development.
We've delivered all kinds of half-day and multiple-day workshops, seminars, and courses …offered consulting and coaching … and have facilitated dialogue in small meetings to guide department transition interventions. We ventured in the world of creating a competency-based university through which people who received competence validation would receive rewards and recognition including certificates and diplomas from universities and institutions.
AND now .,.,. WELLth Learning Network guides new and seasoned entrepreneurs and their staff to use a thinking-feeling, decision making platform as a way to leverage their wellth creation. That is, WELLth Educators are balance facilitators: teaching and guiding entrepreneurs to discover and live a dynamically balanced lifestyle through an appreciative mix of work, health, leisure and voluntarism.
We named it the Wellthy-Wealthy Entrepreneur program.
Meet Dr. Stephen Hobbs
One of the primary educators involved with WELLth Learning Network is Dr. Stephen Hobbs – Master Navigator.
In the following video, Stephen (often affectionately called DrWELLth by WELLth Educators and clients), shares the meaning of WELLth, Learning, and Network as it applies to the company.
The Story Framing WELLth Learning Network
What follows is the inspirational story of WELLth Learning Network's early beginnings from the founder's (Dr Stephen Hobbs) experience in Uganda, Eastern Africa.
To continue the story … from Steve's perspective
Since I began my work-life as a teenager in outdoor summer camps and winter playground programs, I have been fascinated with these thoughts:
- There must be smarter ways to live one’s great life
- There must be smarter ways to create the well-living workplace
- There must be smarter ways to co-create the well-living world
Starting in the field of recreation had me thinking these thoughts because recreation is re:creation – about the creation of something. That something involved fun and playfulness among people of all ages.
Then I recognized the parallels between play and learning. They share most of the same qualities. They are about:
Creative process Community Confidence
Communication Collaboration Capability
Competence Compliance Capacity
Even Jean Piaget, a noted Swiss biologist and philosopher suggested “play is the work of childhood” and as such playfulness and learning must carry on into the boardroom. Think of it this way … as a child we learned through playing. Unfortunately, some lost their childlike playfulness while still retaining their adult approach to learning. This regrettable divorce has caused many a problem in work. “All work and no fun makes you a dull person” – okay, I paraphrase ))smiles.
Even I missed opportunities to play more in my work-life. My mistaken dour look had people running from me. Little did they know—at the time—I enjoyed playing… a lot. I was taking myself way too seriously.
Then I found my stride again. I reconnected with my play-learning connection. I linked my youthful playfulness through organizing half to multi-day long workshops where I used play related learning activities to engage people. The activities were meant to share a common experience among the participants in a fun and meaningful way. The message linked with the organization’s take on balancing people, productivity and profit.
Also, with my love of writing I found an excellent way to share my insights. Through words I could be serious, playful or a mixture of all three. My books and eBooks offer my insights in ways to stimulate thinking, feeling and acting. They are filled with optimism, ways to see your life, your work, and your world though other lenses.
The activities included in each book bring into play simply serious fun … as such, I hope you take up the learning activities with a smile and a hint of mischief. And I’m sure this website, our programs and products, services and experiences will make a difference for you. If one or more does, let me know by emailing me at: info@wellthlearning.com. I appreciate reading about your learning.
Last Trip as a White Water Rafting Guide after 22 summers
The lump = team development paperwork LOL
“Steve is an insightful educator with a passion to make the world a better place. His work has helped countless individuals and organizations to transition from mediocrity to excellence giving them tools to be successful. He has built his own organizations using his outside the box business knowledge and his personal integrity. If you work with Steve, you will learn – I did.” April 14, 2009
By W. Todd Maki, past CEO, World ICU, Inc.
