Where leadership is not explained - but experienced
Every expedition of Element X is built on the same foundation: true leadership emerges when comfort is stripped away.
Not in a hall, not in a book, not in an exercise, but right in the middle of the reality of the wilderness.Far away from deadlines, expectations, and constant noise, you find yourself in situations that test your decision-making, flexibility, and mental strength to the core. You must make choices with limited information, take responsibility for yourself and for others, and cope with uncertainty and pressure.
Nature provides honest feedback: it shows how you react under pressure and the impact your behaviour has on the team.
Under the influence of weather, terrain, fatigue, and group dynamics, you discover what kind of leader you are when all façades fall away.
FOR WHOM?
People who feel that there is more within them
more focus, direction and impact
People who want to get closer to themselves
away from noise and expectations
Entrepreneurs and managers
who take responsibility and want to deepen their leadership
For whom?
People who want to get closer to themselves
away from noise and expectations
People who feel that
there is more within them
more focus, direction and impact
Entrepreneurs and managers
who take responsibility and want to deepen their leadership
Our promise
We challenge you to sharpen your leadership in ways that no seminar or workshop can ever offer. During our expeditions, you will learn to deal with the unexpected, develop a winning mindset, and discover how to get the best out of others - even under heavy pressure.
Moreover, you will build a strong network of like-minded leaders with whom you share experiences and insights that stick. Shared hardship creates a bond that no boardroom conversation can ever match.
Our promise
We challenge you to sharpen your leadership in ways that no seminar or workshop can ever offer. During our expeditions, you will learn to deal with the unexpected, develop a winning mindset, and discover how to get the best out of others - even under heavy pressure.
You also build a strong network of like-minded leaders with whom you share experiences and insights that stick. Shared hardship creates a bond that no boardroom conversation can ever match.
What does this
leadership experience
really bring you?
1. An intensive expedition where you take the lead yourself
During the expedition, each participant is given a leadership role. A unique opportunity to observe and adjust your style.
3. Direct, honest
feedback on your style
You discover patterns in your communication, decision-making, and team impact that often remain invisible in the daily rush.
4. Insight in advance through a personality scan
Through a personality scan, we map your behaviour, preferences, and reactions under pressure. You will consciously work on this during the expedition.
5. A carefully selected group of peers
The group is selected based on values, maturity, and ambition. This creates trust, vulnerability, and strong conversations.
2. A carefully designed series of challenges
From navigating unknown terrain to group decisions under pressure, material issues, fatigue, or scarcity.
What does this
leadership experience
really bring you?
1. An intensive expedition where you take the lead yourself
During the expedition, each participant is given a leadership role. A unique opportunity to observe and adjust your style.
3. Direct, honest feedback
on your style
You discover patterns in your communication, decision-making, and team impact that often remain invisible in the daily rush.
4. Insight in advance through a personality scan
Through a personality scan, we map your behaviour, preferences, and reactions under pressure. You will consciously work on this during the expedition.
5. A carefully selected group of peers
The group is selected
based on values, maturity, and
ambition. This creates trust, vulnerability, and strong conversations.
2. A carefully designed series of challenges
From navigating unknown terrain to group decisions under pressure, material issues, fatigue, or scarcity.
Invest in your
leadership growth
To help entrepreneurs and KMO leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training is linked to this expedition, closely aligned with the adventure. This programme falls under the theme Business Strategy and is eligible for funding through the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% funding on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the funding.
Expedition leader Koen De Leeuw
Our expeditions are developed by Koen De Leeuw: former Para-Commando, certified Wilderness First Responder and expedition leader with over ten years of experience in extreme conditions. His approach combines military precision with warm, people-oriented guidance. Koen is also an expedition leader at De Expeditie, where he led eight BV’s through the pure wilderness in Namibia and Patagonia.
Koen oversees the quality of every expedition, which is guided by our X-Guides: a select team that we train ourselves to top level, with strong terrain knowledge, WFR certification and experience in extreme conditions - always supported by the people-oriented approach that characterises Element X.
UPCOMING LEADERSHIP
EXPEDITION: CARPATHIANS
An 8-day off-grid leadership expedition. No extreme conditions, but a thoughtfully constructed journey in which leadership
and personal growth are central.
Expedition Carpathians
10 October - 17 October 2026
You will walk through forests, mountain ridges and valleys, live
back-to-basics and distance yourself from the
daily noise. This expedition is ideal for those who want to deepen
their leadership with space for reflection and action.
Discover this expedition
Expedition leader Koen De Leeuw
Our expeditions are developed by Koen De Leeuw: former Para-Commando, certified Wilderness First Responder and expedition leader with over ten years of experience in extreme conditions. His approach combines military precision with warm, people-oriented guidance. Koen is also an expedition leader at De Expeditie, where he led eight BV’s through the pure wilderness in Namibia and Patagonia.
Koen oversees the quality of every expedition, which is guided by our X-Guides: a select team that we train ourselves to top level, with strong terrain knowledge, WFR certification and experience in extreme conditions - always supported by the people-oriented approach that characterises Element X.
UPCOMING LEADERSHIP
EXPEDITION: CARPATHIANS
An 8-day off-grid leadership expedition. No extreme conditions, but a thoughtfully constructed journey in which leadership
and personal growth are central.
Expedition Carpathians
10 October - 17 October 2026
You will walk through forests, mountain ridges and valleys, live back-to-basics and take a break from the daily noise. This expedition is ideal for those who want to deepen their leadership with space for reflection and action.
Discover this expedition
"You come back sharper, more aware and with more confidence in how you lead."
During this leadership expedition, you will be confronted with situations that require leadership in motion. You will learn to take charge in changing circumstances, make decisions when the full picture is lacking, and communicate clearly under pressure. Fatigue, uncertainty, and group dynamics are integral parts of the journey - not as obstacles, but as a learning environment.
In addition to action, there is space for reflection. Through targeted feedback and conscious moments of silence, you will get to know yourself better: your patterns, your strengths, and your pitfalls. What becomes visible in the mountains, you will carry with you into your leadership in daily life - sharper, more aware, and with more confidence.
NOBODY STEPS IN UNPREPARED
THE UNKNOWN.
The preparation process
(min. 3 - 6 months in advance)
always consists of:
Session on equipment, nutrition, and sleep setup
Technical and weather resilience training
Group briefing with
physical analysis
Personal training schedule
Final physical
check-in
NOBODY STEPS IN UNPREPARED
THE UNKNOWN.
The preparation process
(min. 3 - 6 months in advance)
always consists of: a physical screening, a personal training schedule, workshops on gear, food, and technical skills, team & mindset moments, and an introduction to your X-Guide.
Recognised service provider of the KMO wallet
To help entrepreneurs and SME leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training has been linked to this expedition, which closely aligns with the adventure. This programme falls under the themeBusiness Strategy and is eligible for funding through the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% funding on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the funding.
SIGN UP FOR
EXPEDITION UPDATES!
Stay one step ahead of the adventure! Sign up for
our updates and receive the latest news and
exclusive information about our transformative
expeditions in the wilderness.
SIGN UP FOR
EXPEDITION UPDATES!
Stay one step ahead of the adventure! Sign up for our updates and receive the latest news and exclusive information about our transformative
expeditions in the wilderness.
SIGN UP FOR
EXPEDITION UPDATES!
Stay one step ahead of the adventure! Sign up for
our updates and receive the latest news and
exclusive information about our transformative
expeditions in the wilderness.
SIGN UP FOR
EXPEDITION UPDATES!
Stay one step ahead of the adventure! Sign up for our updates and receive the latest news and exclusive information about our transformative
expeditions in the wilderness.
