What in the world does climbing have to do with leadership?

2015-09-16T10:24:43-04:00

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.

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Sep 16 at 2015 10:32 AM

2015-09-16T10:32:09-04:00

Thats a good question.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Sep 16 at 2015 10:33 AM

2015-09-16T10:33:04-04:00

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!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 16 at 2015 11:06 AM

2015-09-16T11:06:53-04:00

Climbing in teams has a lot to do with leadership COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Anybody who has climbed as part of a team or rappelled understands that there is a life-dependent bond between the climbing and those anchored to something stable like the ground, the rock-face, a stable ledge, etc.
Climbing like many leadership required activities requires a plan, execution, and options in case of difficulties. The plan should be developed prior to the start and materials and support personnel in place. Execution requires requisite knowledge for each one involved in the operation with them understanding how they fit into the total operation and where they have latitude of execution.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 12:11 PM

2015-09-16T12:11:14-04:00

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.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 1:38 PM

2015-09-16T13:38:09-04:00

Um, just a guess here, but you have to "climb the corporate ladder (or rock wall)" for success and increased leadership responsibilities???

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Sep 16 at 2015 2:57 PM

2015-09-16T14:57:37-04:00

teaches team , not the individual.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Sep 16 at 2015 2:57 PM

2015-09-16T14:57:43-04:00

teaches team , not the individual.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 4:04 PM

2015-09-16T16:04:23-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, Sir, this was a very interesting read. Thanks for sharing as usual. I would have never stopped and thought about the leadership and life parallels that mounting climbing and leadership have in common. The most interesting paragraph to me discussed ambition, satisfaction and fear.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Sep 16 at 2015 6:19 PM

2015-09-16T18:19:42-04:00

In my experience, there are a number of human endeavors that share important characteristics.

A sample of these activities would be
* rock climbing
* live theatre
* tall ship blue water sailing
* combat operations

Some of the things they share:
* you have exactly ONE chance to get it right
* the group must act as a team
* leadership is indispensable for effective team operation.

I've done a lot of live theatre, a fair bit of rock climbing, and very little in the way of combat operations, other than leading an RF squad at various moments.

Response by SN Alex Tufail made Sep 23 at 2015 7:40 PM

2015-09-23T19:40:33-04:00

Rock climbing has a lot to do with leadership. Specifically Wilderness Leadership.
I started climbing in March of 2013 after a really really bad breakup. I felt that I needed to make a positive change in myself if I was to grow as a person. Thus I started climbing at a local climbing gym in San Diego. Two and half years later I am leading guided trips through the Grand Canyon, and Joshua Tree National Park. When I started climbing, I did so because there was a calling that needed to be answered. I knew serving in the military was no longer an option, but there had to some field where I could excel and achieve personal, and professional goals.

Climbing taught me how to think outside the box. When working on a route and your 300 feet up in the air on the 2nd pitch of a 5.11d climb, and you're leading trad getting ready to build an anchor and bring up your second; it can be daunting, and challenging to keep yourself and your partner safe. As well keeping your mental focus and determination for success. Climbing pushed me to explore the natural world, and personal limitations all while giving me the ability to lead those who had little to no experience in the field. It allowed me to understand who I was on a much deeper level. Leadership comes in many forms, and in many levels of intensity. To be a climbing leader, setting Trad gear hundreds of feet in air requires skill, attention to detail, trust, and a mental attitude that others can perceive. These are marks of a true leader. Someone who has the ability to not only do the work, but show their work. Integrity is Key to leadership, and it is also key to any en devour experienced in the outdoors. Hiking, Backpacking, climbing, Mountaineering, White Water Rafting. These are all mindful pursuits and activities that engage the body and mind to the fullest extent. Without Proper leadership and experience to tag onto that leadership, disaster will follow.

Climbing takes requires the 3 C's: Cool, Calm, and Collected. These are another set of traits found in Great Leaders. The ability to work under pressure and solve issues as they arise. In climbing it's not always possible to lead a climb due to fatigue and stress, and good climbing guide/ leader will know when they have reached their limits and will allow someone else take charge while the leader will still provide direction and instruction if needed. A true leader knows how to pass leadership on so that others may stand up and take charge. Climbing follows the same principles.

As a climbing instructor, I know when my clients and students are at the mental breaking point. When they have been working to climb a route and they feel like failures because they weren't able to climb it clean, it can be a good idea to bring the intensity down a bit so that the student can accomplish a climb and realize that not being able to climb is route means they have room to progress and get better. Utilizing the techniques of perception can turn a tough day into a learning day and a day of growth and self realization. Being able to know when it's ok to step away and come back is a hard perspective. An individuals Ego can take a great climber and make them a dead climber. Ego's destroy potential because self doubt takes confidence with it. A true leader knows when it's a good time to step away and reflect, then get back to the project with a new sense of understanding. This way they are able to focus on the project for the right reasons.

Does this answer the question?