40 Years Stucki
About Us
A Brief History of Stucki
In 1984, Robert Stucki founded the company Stucki Leadership & Team Development. From the start, action-oriented learning has been central to our approach, making Stucki a pioneer in leadership training in Switzerland. At the time, this action-oriented approach was virtually unknown in Europe.
Our Beginning
How It All Started
It all began in the 1980s with experiences in the Swiss Alps. In the mountains, quick decision-making can be a matter of survival, collaboration is essential, and strong leadership makes all the difference. Conditions can change in an instant, and some factors, like the weather, are beyond our control. These same challenges mirror the realities of the workplace, where adaptability, teamwork, and decisive leadership are key to success.
The Dawn of An Idea
Robert found himself suddenly thrown into a leadership role at the engineering company where he worked. He realised that the practical learning methods he had developed in the mountains could be applied to the workplace.
At the same time, he noticed that much of the knowledge taught in management schools was highly theoretical, making it difficult to translate into effective workplace strategies.
1984: The Foundation of Stucki
Robert founded the company to bridge the gap between theoretical business school concepts and the practical demands of leaders, supervisors, and employees.
He pioneered acivity-based learnin, combining his experience as a mountain guide with his leadership role in an engineering company. Early clients included major corporations such as IBM, IMD, ABB, and IBA/Novartis, soon followed by smaller regional companies.
The First Simulator
Robert collaborated with innovative thinkers from key clients to develop the first simulator – an outdoor experience using ropes and harnesses to create intense challenges and reinforce practical learning for the workplace.
As demand grew, the range of tasks expanded to meet evolving customer needs, industry trends, and emerging business challenges.
Fast Changing Market
Over the past 40 years, not only our logo and company name have evolved – we have continuously refined our methods to tackle new challenges, integrate emerging tools, and stay ahead in a rapidly changing market.
What remains unchanged is our approach. The Stucki Method® is built on experiential learning—observing, reflecting, and adapting behaviors to strengthen collaboration and leadership. We believe that this hands-on approach ensures the transformation processes to be more effective and sustainable.
And the Future?
Digitalisation, emerging collaboration and leadership trends, evolving organisational structures, social change, and climate changes push us to anticipate, adapt, and develop new simulations, concepts, and projects.
Working with Stucki has always been – and will continue to be – dynamic and inspiring. Empowering people is our passion, no matter what the future holds.
FAQ
How long does a seminar last?
Seminars range from half a day to several days, based on what is agreed with the client, the objectives, and the budget. Learning isn’t a one-off event—it’s a process, which is why follow-ups and repetition are essential.
Why is leadership training important?
We believe that leadership is a skill that can be learned and developed. Improving leadership enhances the ability to guide others toward positive results. While some may be natural leaders, anyone can grow and refine their leadership skills with training.
What are the typical scenarios for team development workshops?
Teams go through a natural life cycle, gradually building trust, communication, and structures that enable them to perform at their best. However, this process can take time and, in some cases, may be disrupted by communication challenges or other obstacles. That’s why it’s crucial to invest in team development to help them reach peak performance as efficiently as possible.
Consider a team where members don’t know each other well despite working in the same space. Communication might be minimal, and crucial information may not be shared because it’s not seen as necessary. Trust may be lacking, leading team members to withhold important details to avoid the misuse of their position. In other cases, a change in company structure may lead to shifts in team membership or mandates, creating uncertainty. Additionally, even teams that have been successful for a long time may face periods of stagnation when performance begins to slow down. These are all situations where a team development workshop can provide the support needed to re-establish trust, improve communication, and drive renewed success.
Where do the seminars take place?
Our seminars are held in a variety of environments, tailored to meet the specific needs of each group. The location is selected in collaboration with the client to ensure it aligns with the objectives of the seminar and provides the best learning experience. We have hosted seminars across Switzerland, Europe, the Middle and Far East, and the Americas, always aiming to deliver the most impactful and memorable learning outcomes for participants.
What clothing should participants bring for the outdoor seminar?
We recommend that participants come prepared for the weather conditions.
Typically, participants should bring:
• Durable, warm clothing that can get dirty.
• Sport or hiking shoes with good grip, plus spare indoor shoes.
• Waterproof outerwear (no umbrellas – participants need their hands free).
• Headgear for protection from the cold or sun.
• Sunscreen.
• Spare clothes.
Aside from personal clothing and footwear, no additional gear is needed unless specifically requested, which is rare.
What are the characteristics of outdoor training?
Our outdoor tasks are metaphorical simulations of everyday work scenarios. The natural environment, with its changing temperatures and sounds, introduces distractions similar to those found in a busy workplace or competitive market. This helps participants experience the challenges of daily work life in a more tangible way.
From a pedagogical perspective, being outdoors allows participants to focus more on the task at hand, eliminating distractions and maximizing learning. It offers an opportunity to detach from the immediate work environment and adopt a more reflective approach, leading to deeper insights and more meaningful learning experiences.
Do all seminars take place outdoors?
Not all seminars take place outdoors. We offer seminars in various formats, including indoor sessions, online courses, or blended formats, depending on the client’s needs and preferences. The location and format are customised to align with the objectives and circumstances of each client, ensuring the most effective learning experience.
What about safety?
Safety is our top priority. All outdoor activities are carefully designed to push participants to their limits without compromising their well-being. We follow a strict safety protocol and ensure that every activity is supervised by trained professionals. Before each session, participants are briefed on safety procedures and given clear instructions on how to minimise risks. Additionally, our team provides all necessary safety gear and ensures that the environment is safe for all participants. We are committed to creating a safe, supportive atmosphere where participants can focus on their development.
We are a small team of four people. Can we still participate in a seminar?
Yes, absolutely. Our work is totally customised to suit our clients’ needs and circumstances. We design and deliver programmes for any number of participants.
Are the tasks conducted outdoors even during winter?
Yes, our tasks are designed to reflect everyday challenges daily work situations, including difficult environments and time-pressured decisions. This means we conduct them outdoors, even in winter.
We follow our principle of pushing you to your limits but never beyond, ensuring a safe and supportive environment throughout. We provide detailed instructions on appropriate clothing, and jackets, boots, gloves, and other gear are available for loan in case of cold, rain, or other weather conditions. Your comfort and safety are our priority.
How do outdoor tasks relate to everyday work situations?
Our outdoor tasks are metaphorical simulations of everyday work situations. Being exposed to challenging environments and difficult circumstances outdoors mirrors the obstacles that can arise in a professional setting. The elements themselves offer a unique opportunity for participants to practice the behaviours necessary to navigate and overcome these challenges successfully.
From a pedagogical perspective, outdoor settings help participants focus entirely on the task at hand by removing common distractions found in the office or workplace. This immersive environment allows them to engage deeply with the experience, facilitating meaningful learning that can be directly applied to their professional lives.
What physical requirements do participants need to fulfil?
We customize all outdoor training activities to suit the specific needs and conditions of the participants. Prior to the seminar, we gather information about participants’ physical and mental conditions to ensure the activities are appropriately designed. We offer varying levels of difficulty for each task, maintaining the same high training effectiveness across all levels. As a general principle, participation in any activity is voluntary. Anyone who prefers not to take part or is unable to do so can choose to opt out while still being fully involved in the overall process.
Which method do you use?
The Stucki Method® is grounded in experiential learning, or activity-based learning. It follows a four-stage process:
1. Activity – Participants experience a task or simulation.
2. Observation – They analyse their own behaviour and that or the group.
3. Reflection and Conceptualisation – Insights are reflected upon and placed in a theoretical context.
4. Transfer – The acquired insights are applied to everyday work challenges.
For a more detailed explanation of our method and its key elements, please follow this link.
Do you have examples of successful seminars you delivered
Success stories can be found here.
Do you have examples of failures?
Yes, absolutely. However, we view ‘failures’ as valuable learning opportunities. We’ve encountered situations where participants were not adequately briefed on what to expect, resulting in dissatisfaction. There have been instances where the location wasn’t ideal for the tasks, and participants were disappointed with how things unfolded. In some cases, participants felt disengaged and didn’t invest fully in the session.
In each case, we use the outcomes of these activities to guide a debrief, encouraging participants to reflect on what happened, why it happened, and what lessons can be applied to their daily business life.
Why should senior leaders participate in leadership development programs?
Leadership is a skill that can be continuously perfected and refined. Like any skill, if it isn’t regularly honed, it can diminish. This is why even the most experienced airline pilots return to the simulator to refine their skills, and world-class athletes practice daily to maintain their peak performance.
Senior leaders benefit from our training programmes by gaining the opportunity to discuss their actions, reactions, and thought processes in detail with a trained expert. This focused reflection allows them to further refine their leadership skills quickly and effectively.