SHARED LEADERSHIP THROUGH EQUINE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v23.6436Palabras clave:
Embodiment, Equine-Assisted Learning, Experiential Learning, Shared Leadership, TrustResumen
This study develops a process model explaining how equine-assisted experiential learning (EAEL) fosters shared leadership in organizational teams. While prior research has mainly focused on cognitive and structural antecedents, limited attention has been given to embodied and relational mechanisms. To address this gap, a qualitative interpretive approach was adopted, based on in-depth interviews with 17 participants who completed structured equine-assisted leadership programs. The findings identify three core mechanisms: (1) embodied self-regulation and awareness, (2) the emergence of trust and empathic connection, and (3) collective coordination and shared agency. Building on these mechanisms, the study proposes the Equine-Assisted Shared Leadership (EASL) model, explaining how non-verbal and embodied interactions activate relational dynamics that enable leadership distribution. The results demonstrate that EAEL facilitates shared leadership by enhancing relational awareness and coordinated action among team members. This study contributes to shared leadership theory by introducing an embodied-relational perspective and provides practical implications for the design of leadership development programs.
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