TSAF School of Outdoor Leadership

About TSAF: Founded by the legend herself, Bachendri Pal (Recipient of Padma Bhushan
and Padma Shri), the first Indian woman to scale Mt Everest on May 23, 1984 - TSAF is an
outdoor leadership institute which through its wide array of outdoor activities aims at
developing able leaders for the future, through the process of identifying one’s own
limitations of mental and physical endurance. It allows people from all walks of life and of all
ages to choose their own metaphor of self-discovery. True to its philosophy of experiential
learning, TSAF believes that no classroom is better than nature and no teacher is better than
your own will.

Comprehensive and Compelling Leadership Development

Improve your leadership skills as you explore Gharwal Himalayas by joining expedition
designed for executives. Navigating the unknown terrain and environmental challenges of
field – based learning, you will actively lead your peers and work in a team to achieve the
goal. The experience provides an invaluable opportunity to see yourself in a dynamic setting
and evolve as leader.

Classroom that inspire

TSAF believes nature is an outstanding classroom. Team building & motivation cannot be
taught in classroom. It has to be experienced. The main thrust of outbound training is “Yes,
WE CAN!!”. The participants are encouraged to interact with each other in an informal
setting. Whatever is their position, they discuss their problem freely, all of which results in
improved relationships and reduced stress levels.

Why TSAF?

 Leader in outdoor education for past 30 years

 TSAF has supported and trained 10 Everesters in past 6 years. Out of which 6 are
working with TSAF
 ISO 9001:2015 certified organisation
 Safety protocols (Highly experienced and internationally trained instructors from
NOLS), UIAA certified equipment
 Focus on minimizing the impact on Environment in its activities
 More than 95% success rate in reaching summit
 More than 50,000 people have been benefitted from TSAF programmes from various
corporate houses (Tata Steel, Tata Motors, ACC, Liugong, HUL, LG Electronics,
Apollo tyres, Jindal Steel, TCS) and B Schools (INSEAD, XLRI, IIM Indore, IIM
Calcutta, IIM Ranchi) to name a few
 Being part of Tata group, TSAF understands the importance of training &
development in corporates
Takeaways

 Working in a team and understanding team dynamics - care for others, trust
 Communication – Powerful and Prolifically
 Understand how your leadership influences your working environment – real &
immediate consequences
 Goal Directedness
 Managing Ambiguity & Crisis situation
 Problem Solving and Analytical Skills
 Disconnect to Connect
 Awareness on physical & mental fitness

Methodology

 Leaders of the day

 Self and peer feedback
 Debriefing
 Challenge the unknown, handle difficult situations to test ones true character
 Progression of skills with progression of activities

Leadership Skills

Leadership Roles
- Designated Leadership - Self Leadership
- Active Followership - Peer Leadership
Programme at Glance

Dayara Meadows

Day 0 Drive from Dehradun – Raithal/ Barsu – (210km – 7 hours). Dinner & Stay in
Lodge , Introduction, Overview of the programme
Day 1 Goals and Expectations, Rappelling, Team building games – Touch the No &
Australian Walk
Day 2* Trek from Barsu (7000ft) to Barnala (9400ft) – Moderate Trek – 5 hours
Tent pitching, Setting Camp, Debriefing
Day 3* Summit Day - Trek from Barnala to Dayara Meadows (11,500ft) – The great
day! The team will get up early in the morning, have breakfast and start
climbing. You will get to the summit, where you will live an unforgettable
experience, and return to Camp. You will sleep that night with the satisfaction
of having reached your aim.

Day 4* - Descend from Dayara Meadows to Barsu, Final debrief & course feedback.
Dispersal after lunch

Mudga Top – Kaflon

Day 0 Drive from Dehradun Kaflon– (180 km – 5 hours). Dinner & Stay in Tents ,
Introduction, Overview of the programme
Day 1 Goals and Expectations, Zip Line and Rappelling, Team building games –
Touch the No & Australian Walk
Day 2* Trek from Kaflon (4500ft) to Kuari (7800ft) – Moderate Trek – 5 hours
Tent pitching, Setting Camp, Debriefing
Day 3* Summit Day - Trek from Kuari to Mudga Top (11,400ft) – The great day! The
team will get up early in the morning, have breakfast and start climbing. You
will get to the summit, where you will live an unforgettable experience, and
return to Camp. You will sleep that night with the satisfaction of having
reached your aim.

Day 4* - Descend from Kuari to Kaflon, Final debrief & course feedback. Dispersal
after lunch

Dates

Types of Programmes

Programme No of days Location Course Fees (per Batch Size

head)
Ascent 5 Barsu, Uttarkashi 12,000/- 40
Ascent 5 Kaflon, 11,000/- 50
Uttarkashi

*Additional 500/- per head if night stay and dinner required on Day 4
Cost Includes
Accommodation, veg meals, equipment (sleeping bag, tents, ropes, rucksack, helmets,
technical equipments), forest charges, camping charges, expert TSAF staff to conduct all the
activities in safe manner & make the course an enriching and learning experience

Team will have to report and disperse from base camp at Kaflon/ Raithal/ Barsu/ TSAF,
travelling to and fro from respective locations to reporting place is not included in the fees.

Dates

From To Reporting at Uttarkashi Dispersal from Uttarkashi Group Coordinator Participants

Thursday, October 17, 2019 Sunday, October 20, 2019 Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Sunday, October 20, 2019 IIM Indore - 1(Kaflon) Prof Kamal 50
Thursday, October 17, 2019 Sunday, October 20, 2019 Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Sunday, October 20, 2019 IIM Indore - 2(Dayara) Prof Kamal 40
Saturday, October 19, 2019 Tuesday, October 22, 2019 Friday, October 18, 2019 Tuesday, October 22, 2019 IIM Indore - 3 (Kaflon) Prof Kamal 50

Testimonials

Subrat Basak, Head Logistics

Thank you so much to TSAF to give us most beautiful experience.

Trek based courses provide the opportunity to immediately apply theory and learning to
practice. The whole program requires teamwork that allows us to experience interconnection
and mutual accountability for learning outcomes. Additionally we experienced stunning
scenery and cultural experiences as a contextual backdrop.

I think all of us develop a healthy sense of capability,

confidence, flexible leadership style and self-efficacy.

We sleept in tents , eat lots of great wheat/rice-based meals

and the team dynamic was very cooperative and supportive.
Thanks to all the support staff. This kind of skill development
program drawn out the best in everyone. We took risk, led
with our heart, made us good listener and communicator, be
an effective problem-solver. Survival Scenario was an
awesome addition in the program.

I think this kind of program is more effective than usual leadership development program.
Outdoor leadership program gives us following additional things.
- a culture of inclusion and the perspective that embracing our diversity provides
opportunities for personal growth and strong leadership;
- awareness of self and others’ learning styles, teaching and leadership styles;
- communication skills, judgment and decision making skills;
- management of co-leadership dynamics and healthy leadership potential;
- conflict resolution techniques;
- tolerance for emotional and physical discomfort and adversity;
- on-going self -awareness of strengths and stretches and effective group evaluation;
- ability to give, seek and apply appropriate feedback;
- Goal setting – developing and implementing Individual and Leadership Action
Plans;
- Risk and mitigation techniques and managing emergency.
 - Safety was another main theme of the program. We needed to take care each other
safely, apart from my own safety.
- Empathy

ASCENT was indeed the best leadership development program that I have ever attended so
far in my life. We must encourage this kind of program and many of Sr leaders should
undergo this program in order to find out his/her own potential.

Abdus Samad Anwar, Management Trainee

This was quite an experience for us — very different from the usual
challenges we face in our routine work. We tend to remain confined
within our respective domains. But out on the mountains, you have
to work as a team to overcome your difficulties and take leadership
of the situation. This programme has helped us learn that — to bond
as a team and work together towards a common goal. High on
adventure quotient this programme for young managers definitely
helps in getting to know your team mates and know about yourself.

Amanda Ellis, Executive Education, INSEAD

This was the phenomenal trip, not only the

incredible beauty of the mountains and the physical
challenge involved in actually going to the summit
but the wonderful way in which the team from
TSAF worked with us, conducted activities and set
up a fantastic camp with amazing food. The ability
for us to learn from the really amazing leader,
Bachendri Pal was a very special part of the
programme. She was able to tell us about her own
modest beginnings and how in fact she has evolved
as a leader and now has become a servant leader. It
was very instructive for us to learn from her not
only in conversation but also to see her interacting
with her team and to hear from TSAF team and how each one of them has developed their
own leadership skills. For us, it was a wonderful introduction into India into the very unique
philosophy of Tata, its CSR and engagement in the local community and also to be with each
other, learn from each other and test our limits in the mountains. Each afternoon after the
hike, we were able to spend time in our group together and reflect, so that helped us
integrate what we have been learning
 Learning from each activity

Leadership Skill – Expedition behaviour

Rappelling & Rock Climbing Australian Walk

Activity require courage for doing It is high on fun, and physical

unknown things – the need to get to the coordination and dexterity. It
end and display of technical and simulates team work and
professional expertise acquired during coordination. It requires
training. And, also to be able to manage communication and working
oneself with a rope is all forward with the relationships
About communication with the built, along with developing
instructor & following safety protocols others.

Touch the number Environmental Care Code

This activity in its own uniqueness is
about collaboration, problem solving,
analytical skills and communication
with team members. It’s about
focussing on individual task to achieve
team goal
Like dumb charades, activity focusses
on environmental ethics members
should have while going in wilderness.
Key principles they learn applies
directly to our lives where we all can
contribute in preserving our
environment
 Leadership Skill – Communication & Competence
River Crossing Brick Game

This is a focused strategy based

Display of expertise learnt during analytical game. It requires team
training. Trusting instructors and members to coordinate, communicate,
systems they traverse on the
focus, alert and deliver

Tent Pitching Group Debriefing

Collaboration, learning new skill in fun Group debrief – self and peer feedback.
way Strength and areas of improvements.
Highlights and things which could have
been better
Leadership Skill – Tolerance for adversity and uncertainty & Decision making

Trekking in a group Group Cooking

Trek induces/facilitates new ways in which It’s about working with basics and
one views themselves and others. It has identifying the team members with
been regarded as the ‘stocktake of life’. abilities.
Here, the participants will trek with the
unknown –building on the information at
hand and continuously progressing towards
a goal.

Compass reading Survival Scenario

Navigating unknown, focusses and Survival requires knowledge both professional

direction orientation. Learning new and technical, it about the application of it.
skill and direct application in survival Additionally, it involves complex decision-
scenario making processes – prioritizing, weighing pros
and cons, coming to consensus.

It is a mix situation, uncertainty and desire to

win. Its complex as they will use all they have
learnt and unlearnt in this camp.
Leadership Skill – Vision & Action

Summit Day

Day where members must push themselves. When tired, they need to challenge
their own limitations, dig deep and reach the summit – the goal of the program.
After reaching the summit, they will have breathtaking views of the greater
Himalayan range. WE CAN DO spirit & sense of achievement for each member

Leadership skill – Self – Awareness & Reflection

Working in difficult environment in nature gives immense time for self-

reflection. Members understand their own strength and limitations. They are
better prepared to face unknown situations. Away from phone calls and meeting,
they are refreshed, recharged to go back and apply the learning at their
workplace. Final debrief to capture highlights & learning