What are your natural behaviors and thoughts—essentially, your patterns? A fun and effective way to uncover this is through the Covey Challenge. Participants engage in a variety of playful and active tasks in competitive team settings. By making decisions, managing time pressure, and finding your place within the group, you gain insights into your (often unconscious) patterns.
Through the challenge, you become more aware of your own behavior and actions, as well as those of others. Reflecting on these experiences and receiving feedback from others expands your leadership skills and broadens your behavioral repertoire.
The Covey Challenge: developed for nyenrode and led by Kim van Keulen
The Covey Challenge encourages participants to engage actively and reflect on multiple levels:
- Internally: What am I experiencing within myself?
- Interpersonally: What do I notice in my interactions with others?
- In the group: What am I observing about group dynamics?
Kim van Keulen, a lecturer at Nyenrode Business University, helped design the challenge. She explains, “Working together as a team while on the move is a fantastic way to get to know each other. It fosters trust and connection within the group. The Covey Challenge is a foundational element of psychological safety in a group, which contributes to an optimal learning environment.”
Trust and connection
Van Keulen and her colleagues bring a background in defense, where trust and connection are vital for collaboration, especially in high-pressure or dangerous situations. She emphasizes that this trust and connection must exist both with yourself and with those around you. “The power of the Covey Challenge,” she says, “is that you experience whether, and to what extent, you can stay true to yourself while prioritizing the team’s interests. It’s essential to remain connected with yourself and those around you.”
Authentic leadership
Learning by doing—like participating in the Covey Challenge—is at the core of Nyenrode’s Leadership Essentials program. In today’s fast-changing world, with increasing societal demands and growing individualism, it’s more important than ever to know who you are. Only by understanding yourself can you establish a foundation for authentic and sustainable leadership.
The outcomes of the Covey Challenge extend beyond personal growth. The program also ties these insights to professional contexts. The overarching goal is to help participants develop as authentic and sustainable leaders. “And we succeed,” Van Keulen notes, “because participants often tell us they’re amazed at how quickly the Covey Challenge provides insights into their patterns.”
Doing what you believe in
Van Keulen is passionate as she discusses the program. “What I love most is that it doesn’t feel like work. As instructors, we bring ourselves into the group and act as our own measuring instruments. We’re doing what makes us happy. Who wouldn’t want that?”
The success of Nyenrode’s Leadership Essentials program is reflected in the enthusiastic feedback from participants:
- Coen, Ministry of Defense: “What I appreciate about Kim is her sharpness and holistic approach. She doesn’t shy away from constructive criticism, addressing the body, mind, and environment.”
- Arianne, Rotterdam-Rijnmond Safety Region: “Kim brings great energy and concrete tips.”
- Peter, Red Cross Hospital Beverwijk: “It was incredible to see how sports and games revealed my pitfalls and areas for improvement. The mirror Kim held up for me has helped me take meaningful steps. Thank you!”