Lessons from a long hike!

​Colleagues,
We often talk about change being a journey, so I thought it might be fun to pull some change lessons from a real journey.
 
My son Lance hiked the Decalibron this past weekend. The 10-mile hike summits four mountains over 14,000 feet. The elevation gain for the trip is 3444 feet. This is a really challenging hike, and the temperatures were near zero when Lance started out. In our discussion of the hike, he shared a couple of things that apply to leading change:

1. Pace yourself and take frequent breaks. The steep climbs and thin air make it critical to stop and recover. Change is also demanding, so take breaks to assimilate and refuel.
2. Manage your heat. Becoming too cold or too hot (and sweaty) could prove disastrous in the inclement weather. Lance had to monitor his body temperature and adjust his clothing layers accordingly. In change, we need to monitor stress levels. When it becomes too much, we need to take things off, but if we lose urgency, we need to add layers.
3. Reflect at the summits. Looking over the world from 14,000 feet is a spiritual experience that needs to be indulged and appreciated. It isn’t just about celebrating; it is also about reflecting on who we are and our place in the world. When we reach a change milestone, we need to reflect not only on how we got there or what the results are, but on why it is important and what it means to us, our leadership, and our relationships with the team.

 
I love strategic action cycles because all three of these requirements are built into the process.
 
Do good and be well,
 
Frederick