AALP Class 13 International Study Tour to Guatemala and Belize - March 2, 2011

Today we had an amazing opportunity to tour Chaa Creek with its owner Mick Flemming. Chaa Creek is a leading eco destination in Belize that has strong roots in agriculture (www.chaacreek.com) Mick arrived with his wife, Lucy, in 1977 with $300 in his pocket, which was just the beginning of their story here in Belize.

Starting from scratch he cleared his land, and created a subsistence farm with his family. Not knowing the growing conditions, he went out with the philosophy of not being afraid to ask questions, and sought out the advice of his community to develop a better future. Through various trials and errors, his discoveries brought him from hauling fresh vegetables by canoe to the local market, to providing a world class tourist destination.

Mick stated that one of his learnings from his path of success was the “art of delegation”. He applies this learning by delegating responsibilities to his staff and empowers them to problem solve. By learning through the process of trial and error themselves, Mick empowers his staff to be engaged in the business and to work together to build the capacity of the farm, its people and the business.

Mick showed us that everyone has the potential to be successful. Leadership is finding this potential for success in others and encouraging their discovery.

Rick Kush, Kathryn Minten, Melanie Williams - AALP Class 13

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