Due to the current focus of both manpower and resources on Operations, Exercise Executive Stretch events are not planned for all regions during 2010. To find out whether there is an Exercise Executive Stretch running near you enter your postcode here.
If you would like to find out more about events that are running in your region, please contact your Regional SaBRE Campaign Director.
Exercise Executive Stretch enables you and your staff to experience Reservist training yourselves over a weekend. It’s a unique opportunity for business people to enhance their personal leadership, teamwork and communication skills, as well as gain a valuable insight into the transferable skills that Reservists develop during similar training exercises.
Organised by the Volunteer Reserve Forces and SaBRE, it is run by Reservists at military training areas throughout the country, with each region usually hosting one event a year.
What is Executive Stretch?
After a briefing session and basic instruction in essential skills, you'll work in teams to tackle a series of leadership challenges, planning exercises and physical activities. These will involve problem solving, lateral thinking and initiative, requiring you to call on a whole range of skills.
Although the weekend is undeniably challenging, you don't need to be young or super-fit. What will really be tested is your determination, strength of character and your ability to work well under pressure and as part of a team.
Why do it?
People who have taken part in the past tell us that they have greater self-confidence, enhanced communication skills and a better understanding of leadership and teamwork. They also have a real sense of personal achievement and insight into what being a Reservist involves. These are just some of the benefits you can expect when you take part in Exercise Executive Stretch.
What to expect
Executive Stretch usually takes place over a weekend, starting after normal working hours on Friday evening. This is what previous participants had to say:
The weekend was very well organised and allowed me to have a small glimpse of what goes on in the TA. The event improved my leadership skills by teaching me to look for individual strengths and to use them for the benefit of the team and the individual."
Chris Smith, Mouchel Parkman - Executive Stretch East Anglia
The event was a fantastic eye-opener. It gave an excellent insight into the type of training available through the Reserve Forces and the value it delivers to Reservist civilian employers. It also gave participants an extraordinary insight to their own characters and capacity for leadership and teamwork. Every manager should try it."
Caroline Carlisle, The Clegg Group - Executive Stretch East Midlands
There are three main reasons I send my staff on Executive Stretch every year. Firstly, because we are largely associated with the defence industry it provides a better understanding of what they do. Secondly, we have a number of staff in the TA, so this helps our staff understand why their colleagues in the Reserve Forces have to leave on time every Tuesday evening or are sometimes tired on a Monday morning. And, thirdly, but most importantly, it is an opportunity to learn some vital skills from the best - no organisation is better equipped to teach leadership, communication and teamwork skills than the military."
Alan Woolford, Performance Director, Capability Support, QinetiQ - Executive Stretch Greater London
The weekend taught me that teamwork and leadership are the keys to success, and reinforced in a very practical manner that it's not just important to work as a team, but vital to encourage those around you to achieve and exceed their own expectations."
Wendy Hay, Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service - Executive Stretch Scotland