What Mountaineering With My Dog Taught Me About Leadership
The pursuit of personal growth often leads us to unexpected places. For me, these happened to be the towering peaks around British Columbia. After moving to Canada in 2019, I was drawn to the rugged BC backcountry almost immediately. Within 6 months, I knew two things: I wanted to climb all of the mountains, and I need a partner to do it with.
When I decided to pursue mountaineering, I didn’t expect a dog to occupy my co-pilots seat. There are very obvious limitations which can make the process difficult and frustrating; however, the journey provided immense transferable insights into the subtleties of leadership which would profoundly impact my understanding of the concept. In this article, I will delve into three crucial lessons I learned from mountaineering with my dog and give you three tips on how to leverage them in your day to day leadership:
Clear and Consistent Communication
In the unforgiving and quickly changing environment of the Coast Mountains, communication is paramount. Whether navigating treacherous terrain, making critical route decisions or supporting your team safely through obstacles, clarity and consistency are the keys to success. This principle resonates strongly with what I have been observing in the leaders I coach. As a leader, your ability to convey your vision, expectations, and goals clearly and consistently to your team is fundamental.
Just as I needed to unambiguous lines of communication with my dog while scaling steep snow, traversing exposed ledges or navigating in avalanche terrain, leaders must ensure that their messages are not only heard but also comprehended by their team members. Miscommunication can lead to confusion, errors, and even perilous situations. When everyone is on the same page, the team can work harmoniously toward their shared objectives.
But remember, effective communication is a two-way street. Remaining attentive to my dog's signals and needs in the mountains allows us to cultivate a track record of trust and safety meaning he will stretch beyond his comfort zone knowing that I would never allow him to fail catastrophically. In a similar vein, leaders must actively listen to their team members. Encourage open dialogue, welcome feedback, and create an environment where everyone feels heard. By fostering clear and consistent communication, you can build trust and collaboration within your team, enabling them to tackle strategic objectives confidently, knowing you have their back.
The Power of Positive Reinforcement
In the world of dog training, positive reinforcement is a proven method for encouraging desired behaviors. It is not to say that corrective feedback may not, at times, be required; however, this method only teaches the dog what you don’t want. In the absence of positive reinforcement to show and shape required behaviours, dogs undertake a road of trial and error learning leading to frustration and frayed relationships. These principles are equally applicable in the realm of leadership. Recognizing and reinforcing positive actions and achievements can motivate and inspire your team members, leading to enhanced performance and job satisfaction. This also provides clarity in your expectations and communicates that you see their efforts holistically, not just the mistakes.
Throughout our mountaineering adventures, I witnessed first hand my dog’s response to praise when navigating challenging terrain, overcoming obstacles, or exhibiting exemplary teamwork. Positive reinforcement not only boosted his confidence but also strengthened our partnership. In leadership, acknowledging and rewarding your team's accomplishments fosters a culture of excellence and motivates individuals to push their boundaries.
That said, positive reinforcement isn't limited to tangible rewards - pizzas, movie tickets, bonuses, etc. Simple gestures like expressing appreciation or offering genuine acknowledgement of a job well done can go a long way in motivating your team. By nurturing a positive work environment and emphasizing the value of each team member's contributions, you empower them to excel and take ownership of their roles. Remember to leverage the lesson of clear communication by asking your team, where possible, how they prefer to be recognised to ensure you’re not providing them a reward they connect with.
Learn By Doing
Mountaineering epitomizes experiential learning. While you can read books and attend workshops on climbing techniques, nothing can compare to the lessons learned on the actual mountainside. This concept holds true in leadership as well. While formal training and education are essential, practical, on-the-job experiences are invaluable for personal and professional growth.
There have been many occasions where my dog and I faced unforeseen challenges and moments of intense decision-making on our journeys. So too must leaders embrace experiential learning. Encourage your team members to learn by doing, to take calculated risks, and to gain practical experience in real-world situations. These experiences not only build resilience but also cultivate critical problem-solving skills that can't be acquired in a classroom alone.
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, adaptability and agility are essential qualities for leaders. Experiential learning equips leaders and team members with the tools to confront unforeseen challenges with confidence. When individuals have the opportunity to learn and grow through hands-on experiences, they become better equipped to navigate complex situations, make informed decisions, and drive innovation within their organizations.
To support your journey, here are three strategies I’ve found incredibly valuable in relation to the above lessons that, if implemented, can support in fostering a culture of trust, safety and performance in your team:
Active Listening: Active listening means listening to understand, not to respond. Practice active listening by giving your full attention to your staff members when they speak. This means not just hearing their words but also understanding their perspectives, emotions, and concerns. Encourage open dialogue, ask clarifying questions, and paraphrase to ensure you've grasped their message accurately. This skill underpins the principles of clear communication.
Consistency: Be consistent in your application of positive reinforcement and corrective feedback. Ensure that you recognize and reward good behavior and performance consistently across the team. This creates a sense of fairness and encourages all team members to strive for excellence. When offering corrective feedback, consider that inconsistency will have a diluting effect on the importance of your message.
Reflection and Debriefing: After experiential learning activities, facilitate reflection sessions or debriefs. Encourage your staff to discuss their experiences, what they learned, and how they can apply those lessons in their roles. If possible, ask staff to bring learnings back to the team via lunch and learn sessions or in brief summaries during team meetings. This reflection process reinforces the value of experiential learning, helps solidify the lessons and also creates additional value for others in the team.
As you forge ahead on your own leadership journey, remember that learning can emerge from the most unexpected places. Whether you're scaling mountains or navigating the intricacies of the business world, the principles of effective leadership remain constant. If you’re interested in climbing to greater leadership heights and need a ‘sherpa’ to assist in your journey, please reach out at ilia@1upcoach.com or use the link below to book a 30 minute chat and see how my services might be of use!
