E-couragement: Alpine Tower
“A leader is not the person with a title or years of experience. A leader is the one who has the courage to walk outside of their comfort zone into the opportunities that await them.” Rich Schlentz
It was my daughter’s persistence and resourcefulness that pried me away from work and into the beautifully rugged northern California Mountains to spend a week at the JH Ranch father/daughter experiential learning event. After settling in from our travels and completing the initial orientation, we prepared for our first challenge. The Alpine Tower is a fifty foot wooden structure shaped like a three dimensional triangle. There are fifty-two different ways to ascend with varying degrees of difficulty. Frankly, just looking at this monster made my legs quiver with fear. Although Carley chose a difficult route, I remained silent, allowing her decision to stand. We slipped into climbing gear, buckled on our helmets, and began our climb toward the summit platform.
For the next thirty minutes we struggled and sweated our way upward. Throughout our climb, I noticed fearful thought patterns that sounded like: we’ve done our best and can be proud that we made it this far, let’s tell the guides we’re ready to come down. Each time one of those “let’s quit now” thoughts went streaming through my mind Carley would come inching up behind me, prodding me to continue.
Our half-hour experience was packed with valuable lessons for the engaging leader. Here are a few concepts that became clear during our debrief of the Alpine Tower:
- Decisions, decisions, decisions: We had fifty-two ways to accomplish our goal. I did not have to decide the exact route. Yielding that decision to Carley elevated her commitment to accomplish our goal. The ever illusive “buy-in” is attained by allowing the ideas of others to be heard and implemented.
- Lead from the front: Carley needed my encouragement. She also needed to observe me leading by example and demonstrating how to successfully navigate the treacherous terrain laid out before us. Cushy office chairs are overrated—your followers need you on the “tower,” get out there with them.
- The big picture: Carley and I were so close to the “action” our view was often limited; thus, we regularly became stuck. In those moments we relied on the input and advice from our guides below. Their ability to see the broader scope of our situation provided meaningful insight on how to best continue our climb. Seek advice from those you trust and receive valuable information you might be missing.
- Celebrate good times, come on: The 70’s pop band Cool and the Gang got it. Celebrate. Upon reaching the summit platform Carley and I decided to celebrate rather than hurry along to our next challenge. We took time to high five, talk about our achievement, and soak in the breathtaking view from the fifty foot tower. After your team accomplishes a goal, be sure to recognize and celebrate their success before hurrying along to the next task.
Living an engaging life and becoming an engaging leader is an adventure. It’s not for the faint of heart. It involves getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks, facing your fears, and perhaps dangling from a cargo net on a belay line fifty feet in the air. Ultimately, the engaging life and work experience is about living fully—living completely—living abundantly. Now is the time to begin your ascent towards engagement.
Leave your comments: What lessons have you learned from overcoming work/life obstacles?