Monday, June 10, 2013
Good morning !
Last week I shared with you my wonderful Dog Sledding Adventure and Team Building Lessons I learned from the dogs during my cruise to Alaska. This week, I continue to share my journey to Alaska. We all hear and talk about it being lonely at the top, well read on to hear about my rock climbing adventure! Climbing up a 70 foot high rock and the leadership lessons learned in the interim!
Rock climbing is an individual sport, or so you think. I began by getting harnessed in by a total and complete stranger who would be connected to me by a rope, who I was immediately going to trust with my life, and all I knew about him was his name was Nick! I then started off on my adventure to climb the 70 foot rock in front of me with nothing but instructions from Nick. 1). Take your time, 2). Study the landscape of the rock, and 3) I was given a pair of used and borrowed shoes that I was told to “trust the feel of”. Those of you close to me know that “used and borrowed shoes” are hardly in my vocabulary, but I was on vacation, trying new things, and up for a challenge, so here I go…….how hard could it be?
The first few steps were easy, with encouragement from Nick and my husband below (yes he let me go first) I was going lighting fast making my way to the top like climbing a ladder. About 1/2 to 3/4 of the way up, I came to a total dead stop. Total Dead Stop. I was stuck. The rock had just turned smooth. No where to go. Nothing to climb. No where to put my hands or feet, to pull up or hang on to. I stood there, what seemed like eternity, stuck. Strategy session with myself. Nick said three things – take my time…..so deep breath. Study the landscape of the rock…..I looked up, down and then side to side, and trust the shoes. If I went down and left I could go up and right and get back on track but I would have to scale the rock and “trust” the shoes. I leap, slipped as my hands were sweaty, and Nick automatically tightened the rope stopping me from falling, getting me back on track. I regrouped and the shoes did their magic! I climbed the rest of the way up the rock, rang the bell and then enjoyed the ride down!
Leaders don’t get to the top on their own. They ALWAYS surround themselves with people who know more than they know and give them credit for it. Thank you Nick!
Make it a great day!