40 Years Stucki
About Us
A Brief History of Stucki
In 1984, Robert Stucki founded Stucki Leadership & Team Development. From the beginning, we made action-oriented learning central to our approach. As a result, Stucki became a pioneer in leadership training in Switzerland. At the time, this method was virtually unknown in Europe.
Our Beginning
How It All Started
Our journey began in the 1980s with hands-on experiences in the Swiss Alps. In the mountains, leaders must make quick decisions to survive, rely on strong collaboration, and demonstrate decisive leadership. Since conditions shift in an instant, certain factors—like the weather—remain beyond control. Therefore, these mountain challenges reflect the modern workplace, where adaptability, teamwork, and effective leadership drive success.
The Dawn of An Idea
When Robert stepped into a leadership role at an engineering company, he applied the practical learning methods he had developed in the mountains to his work environment. At the same time, he noticed that most business school content felt too theoretical and often lacked real-world application. Consequently, he saw the need for a more hands-on and effective approach to leadership development.
1984: The Foundation of Stucki
To close the gap between academic theory and practical workplace needs, Robert launched Stucki. He pioneered activity-based learning by blending his mountain guiding experience with his leadership expertise in engineering. As a result, major corporations such as IBM, IMD, ABB, and IBA/Novartis quickly became our first clients. Soon afterward, smaller regional companies followed.
The First Simulator
To strengthen workplace learning, Robert partnered with innovative clients to co-develop our first simulator. This outdoor experience used ropes and harnesses to create intense challenges that reinforced practical learning. As more organizations engaged with us, we expanded the variety of tasks. This allowed us to meet changing customer needs, stay in tune with industry trends, and address new business challenges.
Fast Changing Market
Over the past 40 years, we haven’t just updated our logo and name. Instead, we have continuously refined our methods to address new challenges, adopt emerging tools, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. Nevertheless, our philosophy remains the same. The Stucki Method® relies on experiential learning—observing, reflecting, and adjusting behavior to strengthen collaboration and leadership. As a result, this hands-on approach leads to more effective and sustainable transformation.
And the Future?
Digitalisation, evolving collaboration and leadership trends, shifting organizational structures, social change, and climate challenges continue to drive our development. In response, we create new simulations, concepts, and projects to meet the future head-on.
Working with Stucki has always been dynamic and inspiring. Above all, empowering people is our passion—no matter what the future holds.
FAQ
How long does a seminar last?
We design seminars to last anywhere from half a day to several days, depending on your objectives, budget, and agreement. Since learning is a process—not a one-off event—we also include follow-ups and repetition. This ensures a lasting impact over time.
Why is leadership training important?
We believe anyone can learn and develop leadership skills. Strong leadership helps guide others toward meaningful results. While some individuals lead naturally, others can grow into effective leaders through focused training. As a result, leadership development becomes essential for sustainable success
What are the typical scenarios for team development workshops?
Teams go through a natural life cycle. Over time, they build trust, improve communication, and establish structures that enable peak performance. However, this process can be slow and may be disrupted by communication issues or internal conflict.
For example, consider a team where members don’t know each other well despite working in the same space. Communication might be minimal, and important information may not be shared. Consequently, trust can break down, causing members to withhold details to protect their roles.
In addition, company restructuring can shift team composition or responsibilities, creating uncertainty. Even high-performing teams may experience stagnation or declining results. In such cases, a team development workshop helps rebuild trust, enhance communication, and reignite performance.
Where do the seminars take place?
We host seminars in environments tailored to each group’s specific needs. We collaborate with you to choose the ideal location—indoors or outdoors—to align with your goals. In fact, we’ve delivered seminars across Switzerland, Europe, the Middle and Far East, and the Americas, always aiming for impactful, memorable outcomes.
What clothing should participants bring for the outdoor seminar?
We ask participants to dress appropriately for the weather. Typically, you should bring:
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Durable, warm clothing that can get dirty
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Sports or hiking shoes with good grip, plus indoor shoes
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Waterproof outerwear (no umbrellas—hands must stay free)
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Sun protection or headgear for warmth
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Sunscreen and spare clothes
Unless we specifically request gear (which is rare), no special equipment is required.
What are the characteristics of outdoor training?
We create metaphorical simulations outdoors that mirror real work challenges. The natural setting—with its weather, distractions, and unpredictability—reflects the complexity of daily work.
In addition, the outdoor environment helps participants focus more deeply, free from workplace distractions. As a result, they gain clearer insights and develop practical, transferable skills.
Do all seminars take place outdoors?
No. We offer indoor, outdoor, online, and blended formats based on your preferences. We always tailor the setup to meet your learning goals and ensure maximum effectiveness.
What about safety?
Your safety is our top priority. Our facilitators follow strict safety protocols and supervise every activity. Before each session, we provide a safety briefing, explain the rules, and supply protective equipment. This creates a secure and supportive space where you can explore your limits—without exceeding them.
We are a small team of four people. Can we still participate in a seminar?
Absolutely. We customise every programme to suit your team—regardless of its size. Therefore, even small teams benefit from a programme tailored to their unique dynamics.
Are the tasks conducted outdoors even during winter?
Yes. We conduct outdoor tasks year-round—even in winter. We believe that real-life challenges often come with time pressure and difficult conditions. These immersive activities reflect that reality.
Nonetheless, we ensure your safety and comfort by providing clothing guidelines and, if needed, offering jackets, boots, gloves, and other gear. In this way, we push you just enough without overextending your limits.
How do outdoor tasks relate to everyday work situations?
Our outdoor simulations reflect everyday challenges such as communication under pressure, team coordination, and real-time problem-solving. Moreover, removing office distractions helps participants reflect more deeply. This clarity leads to learning that translates effectively to the workplace.
What physical requirements do participants need to fulfil?
We tailor all activities to match participants’ physical and mental abilities. Before each seminar, we gather relevant information to ensure accessibility and safety.
We offer multiple difficulty levels while maintaining learning value. Importantly, participation in physical tasks is always voluntary. Even if someone opts out of an activity, they remain fully included in the overall learning experience.
Which method do you use?
We use the Stucki Method®, which is built on experiential learning. This approach follows a four-stage process:
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Activity – Participants engage in a task or simulation.
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Observation – They analyse their own behaviour and the group’s dynamics.
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Reflection and Conceptualisation – They place their experiences in a broader context.
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Transfer – They apply these insights to their workplace challenges.
For a more detailed explanation, please follow this link.
Do you have examples of successful seminars you delivered
Yes, we’ve delivered successful seminars across industries and continents. As a result, we’ve built long-term relationships with clients who value deep learning and transformation.
You can find success stories here.
Do you have examples of failures?
Yes—and we view them as learning opportunities. For instance, in some cases, participants arrived unprepared due to unclear expectations. In others, the location didn’t match the activity plan, or participants disengaged from the process.
However, we addressed each situation openly during debriefs. This allowed us to reflect, identify root causes, and turn setbacks into valuable lessons participants could apply in real-life work situations.
Why should senior leaders participate in leadership development programs?
Even experienced leaders need ongoing development. Just like pilots return to simulators and athletes train daily, leaders must also sharpen their skills consistently.
Our programmes give senior leaders a space to reflect on their decisions, behaviours, and thought patterns. With expert guidance, they gain clarity and tools to improve their leadership more effectively and purposefully.