The experience begins with an informal evening gathering at The Sofitel Arc de Triomphe Hotel, located in the heart of Paris. In a casual setting, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the program's facilitators and the other executives participating in the event.
Saturday 19 April
After an early-morning departure from Paris, we venture to the Normandy region. Following check-in and lunch, there will be a strategic overview of the Overlord invasion, including its planning and coordination. In addition, a special presentation on Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, "The Loneliness and Isolation of High Command," will take place.
In the early evening, we travel to the German overlook at St Laurent, our first battlefield stop, where we will experience the positioning of the German high command on the eve of the invasion.
Sunday 20 April
The battlefield excursion continues in the morning, as participants visit sites and discuss the actions that occurred at each location and how they were critical to the overall mission. The sites visited and topics covered include:
Pegasus Bridge
• Encouraging initiative and improvisation in the absence of
direct supervision.
• Mission clarity and contingency planning to ensure
organizational success.
• Assessing succession readiness in critical
line / tactical units.
Hillman Redoubt
• Using implementation and execution scenarios to facilitate
understanding of the strategic plan.
• Leadership "consciousness" in allocating resources to
achieve goals and mitigate risks.
Mulberry Harbors at Arromanches
• Focusing early on technological innovation to overcome
anticipated obstacles and create a competitive advantage.
• Leadership's role in creating an environment that
stimulates innovation.
Long-sur-Mer
• The detrimental impact of relying too heavily on
a primary strategy.
Upon returning from the battlefield sites, facilitators will lead an after-action workshop that connects the day's lessons to the current business environment.
Monday 21 April
The battlefield excursion continues at the following sites, discussing relevant leadership issues:
Ste-Mère-Eglise • Establishing and ensuring consistency of communication
throughout the organizational structure.
• Leading across internal / external boundaries and
organizational / geographical cultures.
• Leading geographically dispersed units without regular direct
contact or means of real-time communication.
Pointe du Hoc • Decision making and delegating in a rapidly and ever-
changing environment.
• Focusing on objectives and goals constantly
and consistently.
• Delegating effectively while strategy is being formulated.
Omaha Beach • Identifying goals, opportunities and risks when data and
intelligence diverge.
• Building alliances and teamwork across
boundaries of authority. Finally, there's a workshop on lessons learned from the battlefields and their practical applications to business challenges. Using framework provided by the facilitators, you create your own action plan for addressing leadership challenges at home. After your peers and the facilitators provide comments and feedback, you leave our program with a valuable, actionable tool to take home and immediately apply to your workplace.
Tuesday 22 April
Following breakfast, ground transportation will be provided for the return to Paris or Charles de Gaulle Airport.
“Normandy... was a very high caliber event. It was advantageous to have three people from our company participate. Plus, the diverse group of attendees added a lot of value to my overall experience.”
Todd Hendricks
Founder and CEO
T.H. Properties
For more information,
please contact:
Clayton Shedd
+1 212 339 0253
or Mary Jacobson
+1 212 339 0377
Leadership Experiences
Gettysburg
Program Description
