From Heart Scare to Fresh Perspectives: Northumberland Leadership Consultant & Coach, Brings the Outdoors into Business Strategy
When Jane Fisher collapsed with a suspected heart attack last year, her life – and business – came to a sudden halt. The diagnosis at the time was a genetic heart condition, with her heart muscle dangerously thickened and her heart function just half of what it should be. She spent six months away from work, not knowing what her future would hold.
“I had always been busy – working with business leaders, running my consultancy, and juggling life in the beautiful but remote North Pennines,” Jane explains. “But that moment forced me to slow down. I realised I couldn’t keep pushing through without looking after myself, mentally and physically.”
Earlier this year, following a further round of tests, doctors gave Jane the all-clear – the condition was reclassified as a temporary heart infection, not genetic. “It was such a relief. I felt I’d been given my freedom back,” she says. “But I knew I wanted to work differently. I didn’t want to waste another opportunity to do something meaningful.” The result is ‘Fresh Perspectives North East’ combining Jane’s expertise in strategic leadership with her lifelong love of the outdoors – creating the North East of England movement dedicated to helping business leaders and their teams get outside more – to think clearly, work smarter and drive their businesses forward.
Drawing on her earlier career in science education, Jane uses research-backed evidence to show how time outside improves creativity, focus and productivity. “Being outdoors reduces mental clutter, cuts through distractions and boosts our ability to think strategically.” she explains. “When you step outside, you create the conditions for fresh thinking, and faster, better decision-making.”
Jane’s approach is simple but effective: walking and talking. No ropes, harnesses, or extreme challenges – just leaders stepping away from their ‘restrictive’ four walls to engage in expansive thinking in natural or open-air settings. “Whether you’re in the heart of Newcastle, or where I live near Allendale in Northumberland, the outdoors is right on your doorstep,” Jane says. “You don’t need a full day in the mountains – just ten minutes outdoors can shift your thinking.”
Jane works mainly with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), often with progressive, people-focused leaders who want to improve their personal leadership skills while also building a healthier, more engaged workplace culture. Many are tackling issues such as staff burnout, low engagement or retention problems.
One part of her work involves introducing “working outdoors” as a third option alongside office and home working – something she calls “hybrid-plus”. Teams might take meetings outdoors, hold one-to-ones on a park bench, or step outside to handle phone calls.
Jane has launched the Fresh Perspective 90-Day Challenge, designed to help companies build outdoor time into their working culture. Over three months, leaders and teams will take small, manageable steps – from walking meetings to strategy sessions in fresh air – to improve team motivation, engagement, innovation and wellbeing.
“Organisations are under pressure to find fresh, practical ways to boost focus, motivation and wellbeing.” Jane explains. “Currently, only 1 in 10 UK employees are engaged at work – costing the economy almost £300bn a year – with burnout and presenteeism leading to the loss of almost 50 working days per employee annually. By championing ‘Outdoors is a Habit’ – stepping outside regularly, leaders and their teams can help overcome such challenges.
“This isn’t about yomping across moors or scaling rock faces,” Jane says. “It’s about every day, practical changes that add up to major results. I’ve seen it happen time and again: small step changes become powerful catalysts for growth.”
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Photos: Jane in Newcastle (The Bigger Picture Agency)
Photo: Jane in Northumberland on the Roman Wall (McFade Photography)
PR and media keith@highlightspr.co.uk 07814 397951