Posted on Sep 16, 2015
What in the world does climbing have to do with leadership?
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What in the world does climbing have to do with leadership?
RP Members here is another post for those individuals aspiring to become leaders, that are currently junior leaders, or will always be leaders.
Looking for your feedback!
Leadership on the Edge
By Dr. Chris Stout
Best Selling Author, Data Wonk, Clinical Professor, Angel Advisor, and
(Accidental) Humanitarian
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leadership-edge-dr-chris-stout?trk=pulse-det-nav_art
It is striking to me to see the immense parallels between climbing in the mountains and the power of the individual, the power of the cooperative team, the wisdom of leadership, how decisions are made and the incredibly high stakes.
Both mountain climbing and leadership require rigor in training. Both require ongoing learning and refinement of skills and techniques. Both require taking care of one's self—having a self-awareness and using feedback from others (supervisors, consultants, mentors and clients).
Mountaineering also is similar to working on large problems:
Both involve seemingly insurmountable tasks.
Both take the help of others in order to reach the goal.
Both deal with risks.
Both require major doses of planning, team work, concentrated effort and hope.
RP Members here is another post for those individuals aspiring to become leaders, that are currently junior leaders, or will always be leaders.
Looking for your feedback!
Leadership on the Edge
By Dr. Chris Stout
Best Selling Author, Data Wonk, Clinical Professor, Angel Advisor, and
(Accidental) Humanitarian
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leadership-edge-dr-chris-stout?trk=pulse-det-nav_art
It is striking to me to see the immense parallels between climbing in the mountains and the power of the individual, the power of the cooperative team, the wisdom of leadership, how decisions are made and the incredibly high stakes.
Both mountain climbing and leadership require rigor in training. Both require ongoing learning and refinement of skills and techniques. Both require taking care of one's self—having a self-awareness and using feedback from others (supervisors, consultants, mentors and clients).
Mountaineering also is similar to working on large problems:
Both involve seemingly insurmountable tasks.
Both take the help of others in order to reach the goal.
Both deal with risks.
Both require major doses of planning, team work, concentrated effort and hope.
Posted in these groups: 
Leader
Leadership Development
Professional Development
Rock climbing
Inspiration
Leader Leadership Development Professional Development Rock climbing Inspiration
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 10
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
As a climber if I were to try to draw parallels between climbing and leadership, these are the ones I would list:
Climb until you reach either muscle failure or fall.
When you're falling have faith in your partner/ropes/self that you will be able to use a hand breaking to stop yourself, your ropes will not fail you and that if your hand break method fails your partner will stop your fall.
If you reach muscle failure your partner will hold you in place until you are ready to begin again.
If you're free climbing don't overextend yourself and preplan your route.
When you fall or fail always remember you can start back over again, even from the bottom.
Understand the risks of overextending yourself.
Don't always take the easy route, challenge yourself by attempting the more difficult course.
Never think of any climb as impossible -if you do you will be defeated before you even try.
As a climber if I were to try to draw parallels between climbing and leadership, these are the ones I would list:
Climb until you reach either muscle failure or fall.
When you're falling have faith in your partner/ropes/self that you will be able to use a hand breaking to stop yourself, your ropes will not fail you and that if your hand break method fails your partner will stop your fall.
If you reach muscle failure your partner will hold you in place until you are ready to begin again.
If you're free climbing don't overextend yourself and preplan your route.
When you fall or fail always remember you can start back over again, even from the bottom.
Understand the risks of overextending yourself.
Don't always take the easy route, challenge yourself by attempting the more difficult course.
Never think of any climb as impossible -if you do you will be defeated before you even try.
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We (leaders) will always face uncertainty - that's life. Some people think (and even expect) leaders to "know everything". We don't - you don't, nobody does. What ALL leaders should know is where they want to be (vision). There's a huge difference. As it relates to the article, if your vision is to be on top of the mountain, then make sure that's clear with your team and they will not expect you to know exactly how many steps or on what path you will take - but in the end, you will be on top!
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SGT (Join to see)
it all about team work ,working as a team and work together look out for everyone and there look out for you
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Um, just a guess here, but you have to "climb the corporate ladder (or rock wall)" for success and increased leadership responsibilities???
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SCPO (Join to see) Not necessarily - there are parallels between the climbing the rock wall and things you will face in everyday leadership, no matter where you are at in the corporate ladder or evening dealing with your children as a parent!
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