Ideas in the Wild: Why Bart Foster Is Teaching Executives to Bring Business Outside

How do business executives ensure they’re showing up their very best every day? How do they present their real, genuine selves at work? And how do they create a culture where their employees can authentically flourish? Being one’s best means embracing authenticity to feel healthy, grounded, connected — and the path to get there is right outside the front door.

In BusinessOutside, Bart Foster reveals a science-inspired philosophy that reimagines corporate culture by bringing business outdoors, allowing for increased creativity, meaningful connections, and psychological restoration.

Through a self-assessment of personal values and discovery of Zones of Genius, Bart shows how to rise above societal and outdated corporate norms that hinder growth. He explains the benefits of a natural setting, why feeling personally fulfilled matters in one’s career, and proven practices that will put executives on the path toward an authentic, intentional life.

BusinessOutside is an executive’s North Star for building connections, navigating a growth mindset, and exploring the value of a life truly well-lived. I recently caught up with Bart Foster to learn more about why he wrote the book and the ideas he shares with readers.

Why did you write this book?

In January 2021, I went for a hike on the mountain behind my house in Boulder, Colorado. It was an activity I returned to many times because of the way it would rejuvenate and re-energize me physically, mentally, and emotionally. On the mountain, new ideas were easy to come by. Creative inspiration didn’t feel so far off. I could see more clearly and breathe more deeply. Perhaps most importantly, being outside simply made me happier.

On this particular hike up the mountain, a simple thought hit me: I want everyone to operate in this zone. And in that moment, the idea for BusinessOutside® was born.

The problem is that many of us continue on paths we don’t truly want to walk, so we constantly feel torn. We often do this without conscious thought. In the end, we are no longer leading our own lives; instead, life is happening to us.

Too many of us are stuck “inside” — inside our video calls, inside our corporate hierarchy, inside our self-imposed limitations about what’s possible, and inside unrealized potential. BusinessOutside is an antidote to the “inside” culture that is permeating corporations around the world. It’s an antidote for both executives and employees who need genuine connections and the space to bring their authentic selves so they can feel empowered and energized.

Following a science-inspired philosophy, I teach BusinessOutside principles to help people feel psychologically restored. I invite people to tap into their true, authentic selves in a natural setting, which helps them become healthier, more creative, inspired, and renewed. By using BusinessOutside methods, business leaders can create organizational cultures that nurture and empower their people, helping them discover their path forward.

What’s an idea you share that really excites you?

We all need to pursue work that is aligned with who we are by nature. That’s why it’s important to find your Zone of Genius. This term was coined by psychologist Gay Hendricks to refer to the times when a person is working from theit innate abilities. It’s the state in which you find ceaseless inspiration, lose track of time, and create distinguished work that excels beyond what anyone else is doing.

In BusinessOutside, I provide exercises to help readers identify and harness their Zone of Genius, but on the most basic level, you can start the process by asking yourself, What do I most love to do? What work do I do that doesn’t seem like work? What is my unique ability?

A simple formula you can use to identify your Zone of Genius is to identify the intersection of your talent and your passion. Note that passion goes beyond things you like; we all like a lot of things. Instead, you want to identify the things that get you out of bed in the morning, give you energy, and make you feel like you are uniquely positioned to deliver this service to the world.

It’s also important to be conscious of what falls outside your Zone of Genius so you’re not spinning your wheels trying to do things you shouldn’t be doing. After all, others can fulfill these spaces much better because they have their own unique Zones of Genius. It does no one any good to try to be something or someone you’re not.

How will implementing your idea improve your readers’ lives?

In this book, I challenge readers to step back and be honest with themselves so that they, too, can blaze a new trail — the one they want to be on.

If you feel you are lost in the wilderness, stuck, unhappy, unfulfilled, or dissatisfied, my hope is that this book will help you realize what’s possible and inspire you to take action. It is intended to help you shift your mindset, reorient your life, and carve a path that will ultimately make you happier. Happier individuals lead to better, more productive companies. In the end, everyone wins.

By going on this journey, you will discover your path forward. You will learn to embrace a new philosophy as you make your way into nature and beyond self-imposed comfort zones. As you shift to spending the majority of your time in your Zone of Genius, you will be happier and healthier, and you will inevitably elevate everyone around you. You will also learn how to be assertive and proactive about your career, expand your circle of comfort, pinpoint what is holding you back, identify decision-making accelerants, and determine the people, books, and resources that will support you in your growth.

Now is the time to challenge the status quo, push boundaries, find creative ways to conduct business, and get yourself and your team outside.