Vision Quest for Young Leaders
A Journey to Authentic Leadership
In an age where 25.8% of young professionals experience burnout and 20% struggle with climate anxiety, many emerging leaders feel trapped between career ambitions and meaningful contribution. Our Vision Quest offers a profound alternative to the endless cycle of performance pressure.
“The power of connection I experienced was enormous, yet I also felt very small” – Anco, 26
The Challenge Facing Young Leaders Today
The Burnout Epidemic: Young professionals aged 25-34 show the highest burnout rates in the Netherlands, caught between performance pressure and the search for authentic meaning.
Quiet Quitting: 19% of Dutch employees, especially millennials and Gen-Z, are disengaging from work that lacks purpose and connection.
Climate Anxiety: A generation grapples with planetary crisis while working in systems they question fundamentally.
The Leadership Gap: 70% of people call for more human leadership, yet traditional development programs focus on winning within existing systems rather than transforming them.
The Challenge Facing Young Leaders Today
In an age where 25.8% of young professionals experience burnout and 20% struggle with climate anxiety, many emerging leaders feel trapped between career ambitions and meaningful contribution. Our Vision Quest offers a profound alternative to the endless cycle of performance pressure.
“The power of connection I experienced was enormous, yet I also felt very small” – Anco, 26
A Different Path: The Vision Quest Experience
7 Days in the Finnish Archipelago
Journey to the pristine wilderness of Åland, where the Baltic Sea meets ancient forests. Here, away from digital distractions and societal pressures, you’ll encounter what truly matters.
3 Days Solo on Your Private Island
The heart of the experience: 72 hours alone with yourself and nature. No food, no distractions – just you, the elements, and the space for profound insight to emerge.
Expert Guidance
Led by Mark Tigchelaar (McKinsey veteran, certified Vision Quest Leader) and experienced co-facilitators who create safety while honoring the depth of your process.
Intimate Group Size
Maximum 4 participants ensure personal attention and genuine community with fellow travelers on the path of conscious leadership.
What Participants Experience
Before the Quest
“I was running from appointment to appointment, both socially and work-related. Individually pleasant activities, but together it was too much for too long. I experienced pressure to perform on all fronts and became increasingly exhausted.” – Jelle, 31
During the Solo Period
“Being alone gave me space to think about major life questions: family, friends, relationships, work, and how I see my future. I didn’t experience loneliness, only sometimes felt (old-fashioned) bored since standard rituals like eating were absent.” – Lieuwe, 33
Transformation Moments
“When I saw two swans swimming together, it became crystal clear how much I value being with other people, and I made my decision. A great burden fell from my shoulders when I sent that message.” – Jelle, 31
Lasting Impact
Six Months Later
- Clearer Decision-Making: “Making decisions from a calm and peaceful state works very well for me. I can better assess the consequences of specific actions.” – Lieuwe
- Self-Compassion: “I’ve become more loving toward myself and gained more confidence.” – Lieuwe
- Authentic Purpose: “I’m someone who wants to help people out of love to stimulate personal growth, with the strength I’ve developed from my past.” – Anco
- Reduced Performance Anxiety: Moving from competition to inspiration, from individual achievement to collective contribution.
For Whom This Journey
Career-Focused Millennials (25-35) who sense there’s more to leadership than climbing corporate ladders.
System Questioners ready to transform rather than simply succeed within existing paradigms.
Future Leaders called to contribute to planetary and human wellbeing, not just shareholder value.
Burnout Recovery: Those ready to step off the hamster wheel and find sustainable ways of being and leading.
Climate Conscious Leaders seeking to align personal growth with ecological responsibility.
The Åland Experience
Location
The mystical archipelago between Sweden and Finland, where Baltic waters meet pristine wilderness. Each participant receives their own uninhabited island for the solo period.
Safety & Support
- Experienced guides monitor from nearby base camp
- Emergency communication systems in place
- Medical support readily available
- Careful participant screening and preparation
Integration Support
Post-Quest integration sessions help embed insights into daily life and leadership practice.
Practical Details
Duration: 7 days total
Solo Period: 3 days on private island
Group Size: Maximum 4 participants
Investment: €1,950 (includes accommodation, expert guidance, meals, island transport – excludes travel to Finland)
When: Multiple dates throughout the year
The Vision Quest Difference
Unlike traditional leadership programs that teach you to perform better within existing systems, Vision Quest helps you discover who you truly are beneath societal conditioning. This isn’t about optimizing your productivity – it’s about finding your authentic contribution to a world in transformation.
Traditional Development: Better performance within current systems
Vision Quest: Fundamental shift in how you see yourself and the world
Traditional Networking: Transactional connections
Vision Quest: Soul-deep community with fellow transformers
Traditional Success: Individual achievement
Vision Quest: Contributive leadership for collective wellbeing
What Makes This Different
Beyond Tribal Consciousness
While traditional Vision Quests preserve existing culture, young leaders today are called to transform systems fundamentally. This program honors ancient wisdom while addressing planetary consciousness and systemic change.
Planetary Perspective
Understanding that local transformation connects to global healing. Your personal breakthrough contributes to the larger shift our world desperately needs.
Post-Industrial Initiation
An initiation rite for the new economy – moving from extraction and competition to regeneration and collaboration.
Investment in Your Future
At €1,950, this represents less than many corporate training programs, yet offers transformation that impacts every aspect of your life and leadership. Consider it an investment in:
- Your authentic leadership capacity
- Sustainable stress management
- Meaningful contribution to planetary healing
- A community of conscious change agents
- Skills for navigating uncertainty with presence
Ready to Answer the Call?
The world needs young leaders who can transform systems from within. Leaders who understand that real change comes not from working harder within existing paradigms, but from shifting to fundamentally new levels of consciousness.
If you feel called to explore authentic leadership beyond performance metrics, if you sense your generation has a unique role in planetary transformation, if you’re ready to move from burnout to breakthrough – this journey awaits.
Next Steps:
- Exploratory Conversation: Connect with Mark to explore if this path resonates
- Application Process: Ensure good fit for group dynamics and safety
- Pre-Quest Preparation: Mental, physical, and spiritual readiness
- The Journey: Seven days that could transform your leadership forever
“It’s a unique opportunity to pause and reflect on everything that has happened and time to think about everything that’s coming. Where you are central and can determine direction without being distracted.” – Lieuwe, 33