Leadership Skills

In the same year as NOLS’ 60th anniversary, we are celebrating 20 years since the formation of NOLS Risk Services. For 60 years, NOLS has operated in remote locations all over the world, and in 2005, NOLS Risk Services was formed to share what NOLS has learned about operational risk management in the process.   NOLS…

2024 US Instructor In Training Cohort at the start of their instructor course: top, left to right, NOLS field instructor Jerick Lee, NOLS field instructor Elsie Freland, Matt Medina, Dane Gare, Amber Davis, and bottom left to right, Alison Sikowitz, Vicky Albores, Yessi Aguilar, and Jianna Kaufman The U.S. NOLS Instructor-in-Training (IIT) Program is a…

Astronaut and U.S. Navy Commander Reid Wiseman wrote this missive about expedition behavior from low earth orbit to be read to the astronaut class of 2013 on their NOLS course.

To reduce the strain on local health care facilities during a global crisis, you can step up and use your first aid training to treat some injuries at home.

5 Gap Year Myths Debunked - Worried that a NOLS gap year expedition is beyond your reach in terms of timing, finances, or technical skills? Guess again!

America’s federal public lands are an amazing resource for all kinds of recreation—but how much do you know about the different kinds of public land?

To reduce the strain on local health care facilities during a global crisis, you can step up and use your first aid training to treat some injuries at home.

To reduce the strain on local health care facilities during a global crisis, you can step up and use your first aid training to treat some injuries at home.

Tolerance for adversity and uncertainty (or resilience) is a major element of the leadership model NOLS teaches and it has broad applicability, especially now.

Sometimes being a good leader means admitting you don't know the answer, a lesson Carolyn Highland learned on her outdoor educator course in the Absarokas.

On an Alaska backpacking and sea kayaking course, NOLS grad Caroline Dooley realized that hiking like a girl is something to celebrate. Here's why.

The NOLS Tanzania Scientific Expedition is a unique opportunity to design and implement a scientific research study—and summit Mount Kilimanjaro!

In many ways, an all-women's course is just another NOLS course. But it's also something more.

Mistakes aren't fun. But they might be just what teens need to succeed! NOLS courses offer an opportunity to make mistakes productively and learn key leadership skills.

Adaptive Biotechnologies CEO and NOLS grad Chad Robins says his leadership style is based on the lessons he learned during his Spring Semester in the Rockies.

Evan Marie Allison, associate director of the University of Michigan’s Sanger Leadership Center, reflects on the lessons she learned on a NOLS Alaska backpacking course in summer 2018.

During their 2018 summer break, two rising seniors at Branksome Hall girls’ school received scholarships to fund NOLS expeditions of their choice, returning home with newfound leadership skills.

Netflix co-founder and NOLS Board Chair Marc Randolph says the leadership experience he gained in the field as a NOLS student and instructor was the “single biggest contributor to my success as a businessperson.”

A graduate of UPenn’s Wharton Executive MBA program shares what she learned about leadership on her 2018 NOLS mountaineering expedition in Alaska.

In honor of 2018 Indigenous People’s Day, SNEWS recognized five indigenous leaders in the outdoor industry, including NOLS Instructor and Senior Marketing Representative Erica Nelson.

Students from the University of Texas’ Canfield Business Honors Program (BHP) reflect on an eight-day backpacking expedition with NOLS in January 2019.

NOLS grad, former instructor, and current Board member Jimmy Chin shares reflections on adventure, storytelling, family, and his NOLS experience.

Instructor Q&A with Evan Horn

Make outdoor-focused New Year's resolutions and achieve them in 2020.