Reizen in leiderschap
Wat voor een reis is dit?
Begeleide reizen rond het thema leiderschap aan boord van Spirit of Ostend, langs de zuid en westkust van Ierland.
Deze reizen brengen een kleine groep mensen samen die weten wat het is om verantwoordelijkheid te dragen en die afstand en tijd willen nemen om te kijken naar hoe zij beslissen, leidinggeven en in relatie gaan.
The rhythm of the days
The voyage unfolds over four days, following a steady rhythm of shared life, time under sail, and conversation.
Mornings begin with the routines of the ship. Days are spent sailing along the coast, actively involved in life on board. Evenings slow down at anchor or in harbour, creating space for longer, facilitated conversations.
The alternation between movement and stillness, action and reflection, shapes the experience.
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Participants arrive on board in the morning.
There is time to come aboard, stow belongings, and become familiar with the ship and with each other. Spirit is a sailing vessel with established routines. Life on board is shared, practical, and requires attention.
The first day is about settling into a different rhythm. Meals are prepared and shared. Practical arrangements are clarified. Space, movement, and responsibilities on board become tangible.
Later in the day, time is set aside for a first facilitated conversation. This opening exchange helps orient the group: where people are coming from, and what they are stepping into by being here.
After dinner, the skipper and the shipsmate share the plan for the coming days, based on weather, tides, and conditions at sea. Possible routes, anchorages, and timing are discussed. The horizon opens.
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These days form the core of the journey.
Each day begins with the shared morning routine on board: waking up, breakfast, briefing. The ship is prepared, lines are cast off, and Spirit leaves the harbour or anchorag. The coastline opens up and the rhythm of the days change.
A substantial part of each day is spent sailing, typically four to five hours under way. Life on board is active and collective: handling sails, keeping watch, navigating, preparing meals, being on deck together. Roles are clear. Attention and coordination matter.
Later in the day, the ship settles in an anchorage or harbour. With the boat secure, the pace shifts. Time is set aside for longer, facilitated conversations.
These conversations are structured around a small set of enduring questions. They are grounded in what is being lived on board, but they are not about sailing. They touch on practical wisdom, responsibility, leadership as craft, and collective performance, not as concepts to be taught, but as questions to be carried.
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The final day aboard Spirit follows the same morning rhythm: breakfast, briefing, and departure.
Spirit brings us back toward the harbour. The horizon narrows again as land comes closer and responsibilities re-enter view.
With the ship secure, the group gathers for a final conversation. The facilitator offers a brief closing, drawing on what has been witnessed during the days at sea.
The journey concludes with a shared evening meal on board.
The Conversations
The facilitated conversations are structured around a small set of enduring questions. They are grounded in what is being lived on board, but they are not about sailing. They touch on practical wisdom, responsibility, leadership as craft, and collective performance, not as concepts to be taught, but as questions to be carried.
What do I rely on when rules, frameworks, and best practices no longer help?
What responsibility do I take without being asked? And which responsibilities do I quietly avoid?
Under pressure, do I focus, or do I fold?
How do I affect the way a group works together?
The voyages are shaped by responsibility and by the way it is carried. They make room for attentiveness, judgement, restraint, and care, qualities that matter when working with others in uncertain conditions. Attention is given to staying present, listening carefully, and acting with clarity as situations unfold.
Who this voyage is for
These leadership voyages are designed for people who already carry responsibility, in organisations, teams, or professional practice, and who are willing to step out of their usual context for a few days.
Participants typically include executives, founders, senior professionals, and people in key roles who:
want time and distance to reflect on how they decide and lead
are comfortable with responsibility and shared work
are curious about how they show up in a group
do not need training, but value conversation and attention
No sailing experience is required. What matters is a willingness to participate fully in life on board.
Groups are intentionally mixed, with participants from different backgrounds and life experiences.
Skipper & facilitator
Jo Martens works with people who carry responsibility.
As an entrepreneur, executive, and advisor, he has over twenty years of experience working with organisations on strategy, decision-making, and execution in complex contexts.
His facilitation is grounded in practice rather than theory, shaped by situations where outcomes are uncertain and judgement matters. As skipper, he combines seamanship with facilitation, holding responsibility for both the vessel and the conversations.
Practical details
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Leadership voyages run over four days, typically from morning arrival on Day 1 to departure on Day 4.
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Groups are intentionally small, usually 4 to 6 participants, allowing for trust, attention, and meaningful conversation.
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Voyages take place along Ireland’s southern and western coasts, with routes shaped by weather, tides, and the rhythm of the sea rather than a fixed itinerary.
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No prior sailing experience is required. Participants are actively involved in life on board, guided by the skipper and crew.
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This is a real sailing vessel operating in real conditions. Comfort is simple and considered, but participants should be at ease with movement, weather, and shared spaces.
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RYA Offhore Yachmaster and certified shipsmate
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Spirit comfortably accommodates six guests in 3 shared cabins
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All meals are included and prepared and shared on board. Life on Spirit is collective, practical, and unpretentious.
Application
Participation in Leadership Voyages is by application.
Places are limited, and each journey is composed with care for the group and the work at hand.
If you would like to explore whether a voyage is a good fit, you are invited to get in touch.
Open Leadership Voyages - 2026
The Leadership Voyage program is offered twice in 2026.
Both voyages follow the same structure and intent.
Each voyage lasts four days and is designed as a one-way journey, allowing the route to be shaped by weather and conditions at sea.
Departure is from Baltimore, West Cork. The final harbour is determined during the voyage. Collective transport back to Cork or Dublin Airport is arranged.
Dates
27–30 June 2026 - Dutch speaking voyage
1–4 August 2026 - English speaking voyage
Contribution
€3,950 per participant (VAT excluded)
Participation is limited to six people and confirmed after a short conversation.