The landscapes may change, but the heart of learning stays the same.

In my earlier blog, Insight from a Hike: A Story About a Personal Journey and a Metaphor About Learning (March 2020), I shared how hiking in the Colorado Rockies became more than just a physical activity for me, it became a metaphor for learning and personal growth. I started with familiar trails, set small goals, took breaks when I needed to, and celebrated the little victories along the way. Every hike taught me something about perseverance, self-awareness, and the importance of setting a pace that fits the journey you’re on.

Now, my path has led me from the structured trails of Colorado to the open savannahs of Kenya. Here, the landscape is vast, unpredictable, and full of unknowns… much like the journey of lifelong learning. On safari, there aren’t many marked trails or clear signposts. You have to rely on observation, intuition, and adaptability to find your way.

When I think about learning… real, deep learning… I keep coming back to the lessons I’ve picked up outdoors. Whether it’s a slow hike up a mountain or a wide-open safari, the patterns are the same: uncertainty, observation, and collaboration. These experiences remind me that the way we move through the world is the way we learn, and that’s exactly what the ISK Big 5 capture. I’m proud of how our community has embraced this shift. We’re not just talking about skills in the abstract anymore; we’re starting to really see the Big 5 alive in our learning, in our behavior, and in the way we show up for each other, both inside and outside the classroom.

On a well-marked trail, it’s easy to feel confident; the next step is obvious. But on the savannah, the path isn’t always laid out for you. You have to navigate through uncertainty, trust your instincts, and adjust along the way. Learning works the same way. It’s rarely a straight line. Being a strong Self-Manager means staying grounded even when things feel unclear. It’s about knowing what you need, being responsible for keeping yourself moving forward, and finding the resilience to push through when you might feel a little lost. Growth happens when we stop waiting for certainty and just start walking.

On safari, your success often depends on what you notice… the flick of an ear, a shift in the wind, the stillness that wasn’t there a second ago. Learning asks the same of us. As Thinkers, we have to stay curious, ask the kinds of questions that open new possibilities, and reflect on what’s right in front of us. Sometimes the biggest insights don’t come from the loud and obvious; they come from the small details we take the time to notice. Good learning, like good exploring, starts with paying attention.

And nobody goes on safari alone. You lean on your guide’s experience, the sharp eyes of your fellow travelers, the quiet teamwork of a group tuned into the same goal. Learning thrives the same way- through connection. Being a Communicator means listening deeply and sharing ideas in ways that bring people in, knowing that what we say and how we say it matters. Being a Collaborator means building on each other’s strengths, asking good questions, and sometimes compromising so we can move forward together. Exploration, whether it’s across the savannah, in a classroom, or in a big life transition, always gets richer when we’re willing to see through more than just our own eyes.

At the heart of all of this is a mindset that goes beyond managing ourselves, thinking critically, or working together. It’s about what we choose to do with all of that learning. Being a Changemaker means using what we know to make a positive difference… not just for ourselves, but for the communities and the world around us. It means investigating the world, recognizing different perspectives, and taking action with care and purpose. Whether we’re hiking a trail, stepping into a new chapter, or coaching others along their own paths, the real impact comes when we decide to leave things better than we found them.

Although I might enjoy the solitude of a mountain hike, a safari is impossible to do alone. You rely on others… their eyes, their instincts, their energy. When I think back on the safaris I’ve been lucky enough to share, it’s the people that stand out. I learned the importance of patience, how you can sit for what feels like forever, just watching for the slightest flicker of movement deep in the bush. I listened to stories of past adventures that made the experience even richer. I saw a real hunger to learn, not just about the animals, but about the environment, the people, and the bigger picture. I watched how often conversations turned to wondering: How can we show up in ways that help, without letting our privilege get in the way? And through it all, what stood out most was the sense of gratitude and humility. Being out there reminds you how small you are — and how much bigger the world is when you take the time to really see it. That’s what the Big 5 are about too. It’s not just about learning for yourself; it’s about learning alongside others and using what you know to make a difference.

In the end, it’s not about reaching a destination. It’s about learning how to walk, how to notice, how to listen… and how to leave something better behind.