| Have you ever lead by following? If leaders are | | | | from the guide. I started breathing more evenly |
| the head of the group on the way to the top, | | | | again. Leaders get back on track and continue. |
| what does the climb entail? When on my journey, | | | | I was back on my way. I consistently found hand |
| I think about the summit and continually putting | | | | holds and foot holds. Then I reached for a small |
| one foot in front of the next. Just perpetual | | | | hold from which I was able to get little grip. It |
| movement forward. Sounds easy enough. If only | | | | was the best one in sight at that moment. My |
| that's all there were to it! Getting to the top | | | | mind fled. It wanted off the rock. My mind |
| involves mental and physical challenges. I | | | | wanted off the rock. "What am I doing up here |
| experienced some of those challenges recently. | | | | climbing this rock? It is difficult!" My chatterbox |
| I had the opportunity to climb the Pinnacle at the | | | | mind squawked at me. I quickly got focused again. |
| Seattle REI store. At sixty-five feet high, it was | | | | "I am up here because I want to get to the top. I |
| the tallest free standing climbing structure in the | | | | want to get to the top because that is what I |
| world when it was built. A formidable family | | | | came here to do. That is the behavior I want to |
| adventure for Jeff, my husband; Alex, my 16 | | | | model." Leaders move past obstacles. |
| year old step son; and me. We arrived just at our | | | | I came to the place Alex had floundered, acutely |
| reservation time. Then off to the task of finding a | | | | aware of his previous faltering. I climbed smoothly |
| climbing harness and climbing shoes that fit and | | | | past that. I was intent. By now I was quite high |
| felt good. I was distracted when I found out that | | | | off the ground. As I moved steadily forward, I |
| Alex was getting ready to commence his ascent. | | | | called to my guide to keep my rope tight. She |
| I quickly grabbed two pairs of shoes and dashed | | | | was the one taking up the slack as I moved |
| to the spectator spot. I tried on shoes while | | | | forward. My steps were the same kind of steps |
| sending words of encouragement to Alex as he | | | | that I made further down. There was the mental |
| progressed. Alex moved constantly though | | | | challenge of doing those same things further from |
| somewhat cautiously up. Then he came to a place | | | | the ground. They just felt more precarious 50 |
| of prolonged deliberation. He tested different hand | | | | feet up! I increased my focus. The top was |
| holds. He moved his feet to experience different | | | | getting closer. I scanned for strong holds. Lower |
| locations sometimes on his own and sometimes in | | | | down any hold would do. Now I wanted definitive |
| response to the guide's voice of experience from | | | | purchase with my feet and sturdy grips with my |
| the bottom. | | | | hands. The top was near. It felt like I held my |
| It was Alex's first time climbing. My mind raced. | | | | breath as I took the last several steps. I reached |
| "If only I had gone first to model getting to the | | | | up and rang the bell at the top! I made it! A |
| top. It is important to see a model when doing a | | | | moment of internal celebration! Leaders celebrate |
| physical activity for the first time." After 40 | | | | success. |
| years of teaching skiing, I certainly knew that! | | | | My mind raced. I belayed down to the comfort |
| Leaders model. | | | | and solidity of the ground. I hugged Megan with |
| Alex kept testing. Finally he said he was coming | | | | gratitude. Thanks, Megan, for being my guide. I |
| down. Great first attempt! This was a person | | | | felt so connected to her. She was there for me. |
| who as a young child was apprehensive about | | | | She was ready to coach, encourage, advise, and |
| things that were new or different. He would | | | | most importantly save me as needed. Leaders |
| retreat at pretty much anything unfamiliar and | | | | are more effective when they use guides. |
| bigger than a soccer ball. Good job, Alex! | | | | I had climbed to the top of the Pinnacle. I learned |
| It was now Jeff's turn. He scaled the Pinnacle | | | | four lessons along the way. First, with respect to |
| once before slowly and deliberately to the top. | | | | inexperienced participants, I will model or send a |
| Since that first time, he had problems with his | | | | model of the desired behavior for that person to |
| shoulders. After briefly coming off the rock near | | | | see. Second, when I fall, get up. I stumbled and |
| the bottom, Jeff took to the rock and the climb | | | | then got right back on the rock. It can be easy to |
| with amazing comfort. | | | | stay down with a stumble. Third, my desire has |
| My turn came. It was my third time with two | | | | to be bigger than my reasons. My mind was |
| successful summits completed. I tightened the | | | | there to keep me safe. Safe meant turning back. |
| harness. The guide tightened it more. She gave | | | | Safe meant giving up. I overcame these thoughts |
| her stamp of approval on the harness, as she tied | | | | because I was clear in what I wanted. I was able |
| me in with a figure eight knot. I was now linked | | | | to get focused after my mind had reacted. |
| to her by my rope. This rope was now my lifeline. | | | | Fourth, I fully used my guide and was so grateful |
| I headed for the rock. I was determined. I took a | | | | for her presence. Guides along the path are |
| couple of quick steps up the face. My next step | | | | incredibly beneficial. The more they are used the |
| was with my right foot. But somehow I missed | | | | greater the benefit. These are powerful leadership |
| the fact that the rock curved away from me at | | | | lessons to take on every climb. Necessary |
| that point. I took the step. My left hand and foot | | | | climbing equipment is more than just the physical. |
| swung off and away from the rock! I scurried to | | | | It is also important how one utilizes the mind, |
| grab the rock again. I was back on. Thank you | | | | from the front and from the back. |
| lifeline! Closely below me I heard the "good job" | | | | |