Whole Person Leadership in Action

Let me share with you a compelling example of whole person leadership in action. Despite losing his vision at the age of 13, Erik Wiehenmayer has become an accomplished mountain climber, paraglider, and skier, who has never let his blindness interfere with his passion for an exhilarating and fulfilling life. He was the first blind person to climb Mt. Everest in 2001.

Only 1 in 10 people make it to the summit. Erik and his team applied the whole person paradigm and accomplished something that had never been done before. As with Erik, in the beginning, while preparing there were people who thought he was crazy and there were those who shared the vision.

Erik knew he could never get to the top alone without the people in his team around him. Leaders chosen to go were people of vision and action, but underlining it all was their character. There would be no room for greed or ego, it would tear them apart. The leaders had to be a team of people who knew the Himalayas well, supported Erik's dream and a team he could trust. If you are unified as one in your vision, it is the rallying point and you become unstoppable.

The first day of the climb was the hardest day of Erik's life.

As a team, they had to make changes, they had to go faster or they would have to go back. Erik sat outside his tent that night, the lowest point of his life, and put the vision of himself and the team on top of the summit. He BELIEVED himself forward.

The team worked on the system. Erik needed a pattern, time, practice and to communicate succinctly with the team and they improved. The next day they made record time.

Each night the leaders held tent meetings with open forums to communicate clearly. The team led, but it was Erik's vision and they ALL had a common goal and a spirit of harmony. They built on individual strengths and the weaknesses became irrelevant. 

A storm came in, one of the leaders became ill with malaria and had to go back. No one was in the position of assistant to take up the position that was lost. They found a substitute to step up to the plate in the most unlikely place. Kevin was the low man on the totem pole. He cleaned latrines, set up tents and supervised equipment. He had taken it upon himself to study the weather, reported to the team that the weather was going to clear up and to push on.

They made it and they were on top of the world. They ALL did it. They accomplished something extraordinary, because EVERY member of that team felt they had the POWER to make it. It took planning and expecting the best of each team member.

We all have the yearning for greatness. Leadership is a choice, not a position. Sometimes we have to reach out into uncertainty. What really stand out to me in this example is the culture of high trust. Trust is the one thing that changes everything. Thank you for allowing me to share an example that touched my heart today. At times, I have felt like the blind one with a dream, but with my trusted team I WILL make it to the top. To your success.

Sincerely,

Connie Loeschen

Success in 10 Steps - The First Step