In an era of rapid digital transformation and constant connectivity, traditional command-and-control leadership models are showing their limits. Coach Claudia Lalloz, founder of Grupo Santalá and an internationally recognized executive master coach with more than 25 years of experience, is bringing her experiential horse-assisted leadership methodology to the United States. The approach, which has earned her UNESCO's Golden Torch Award, aims to help executives replace control with trust and sharpen their decision-making under pressure.
Lalloz's methodology is grounded in the idea that horses act as mirrors of true leadership. "Working with horses invites us to recognize that our perception does not always align with full reality," she says. "The horse does not offer a psychological diagnosis or a definitive explanation of personality; rather, its behavior acts as a stimulus that helps leaders observe their own perception patterns, how they react to uncertainty, and what they do when routine strategies fail." For executives accustomed to relying on data and authority, this feedback can be unsettling but ultimately revealing.
The science behind the method lies in non-verbal interaction. Lalloz describes the sessions as a "real-time behavioral and bodily feedback lab." Leaders focus on posture, breathing, and muscle tension. When an executive claims to feel calm but approaches with abrupt movements or visible tension, the horse responds to the physical cues rather than the stated intention. This exposes gaps between self-perception and actual presence, offering leaders concrete evidence of how they show up under stress. Such insights are difficult to obtain in traditional classroom or boardroom settings.
For U.S. companies investing in leadership development, the critical question is whether the experience delivers a return on investment. Lalloz emphasizes that the value only materializes when it translates into sustained, observable changes at the office. "Success appears through concrete behaviors: clearer delegation, reduced micromanagement, active listening, timely decision-making, and increased team autonomy," she notes. "The return on investment happens when self-awareness is paired with clear goals, action plans, and execution." This focus on measurable outcomes distinguishes her program from more abstract team-building exercises.
The implications for American business leaders are significant. As organizations face volatile markets, hybrid workforces, and the need for agile decision-making, the ability to build trust and read non-verbal cues becomes a competitive advantage. Lalloz's horse-assisted seminars offer a disruptive alternative to conventional leadership training, one that prioritizes emotional intelligence and embodied leadership over hierarchical control. By partnering with NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE to announce her U.S. expansion, Lalloz signals that this unconventional methodology is ready for the mainstream. For executives willing to step outside their comfort zone, the stable may become the new classroom for developing the trust-based leadership that modern organizations urgently need.
