When a Walk Becomes Leadership in Action

What do you do when a peaceful lakeside walk suddenly turns into a 100-metre wade?

For members and guests of Sunday Sundowners Toastmasters club (SSTM), an unexpected flooded trail at Thompsons Lake turned a social outing into an unforgettable lesson in leadership, adaptability and teamwork.

What began as a one-off hiking activity has become a regular SSTM tradition, with social outings held every two to three weeks. The events are open to everyone—members, friends and family—and have evolved based on participant feedback.

When a previous 15km hike proved too ambitious for some, the format was changed to shorter one-hour circuits, allowing participants to finish when they had had enough. Another suggestion led to the next outing being planned on flatter terrain.

Then came Thompsons Lake.

Seasonal overflow had pushed water across around 100 metres of the walking trail. Turning back was an option, but one visitor who knew the trail reassured the group that they could safely remove their shoes and wade through.

So they did.

It may not have been part of the original plan, but it became the highlight of the day—and perhaps the best team-building activity they could have planned.

The experience offered a simple reminder: leadership doesn’t only happen behind a lectern or inside a Toastmasters meeting. Sometimes it means listening to someone with experience, assessing the situation, adapting your plan and taking a calculated risk together.

The next SSTM social outing is already being planned. Check the SSTM Facebook page for details and bring a friend or family member along.

Who knows? The next adventure might teach you something you never expected.