Leadership Lessons from Rock Climbing Lingo

This week's newsletter is a full send in how rock climbing lingo directly translates to leadership.? I mean, I was just in The Gunks climbing some awesome multipitch so I had to!??

I have drawn so many beautiful life lessons from my climbing experiences.? From the leadership angle, it’s all about strategy, teamwork, and overcoming challenges.?

Here’s my take on how rock climbing lingo can inspire leadership principles.

Belay

In Climbing: The act of managing the rope to safeguard the climber.

In Leadership: Supporting your team by providing guidance and ensuring their safety as they navigate challenges.

Crux

In Climbing: The most difficult section of a climb.

In Leadership: The critical point in a project where the most effort is required. Leaders must be prepared to offer extra support and resources to get through the toughest parts.

Anchor

In Climbing: A secure point of attachment.

In Leadership: Establishing strong foundational principles and values that keep the team grounded and focused.

Route

In Climbing: The path taken to reach the top.

In Leadership: The strategic plan laid out to achieve organizational goals. Clear routes help teams understand their path and stay motivated.

Beta

In Climbing: Information about how to successfully complete a climb.

In Leadership: Sharing knowledge and insights to help your team succeed. Open communication and shared experiences lead to better decision-making.

Send

In Climbing: Successfully completing a climb.

In Leadership: Achieving a goal or completing a project. Celebrate successes and recognize the effort it took to get there.

Slack

In Climbing: Allowing more rope to ease tension.

In Leadership: Knowing when to give your team some breathing room and trust them to manage their tasks independently.

Rock climbing teaches valuable lessons in leadership. The terminology used in climbing can serve as powerful metaphors for guiding and inspiring teams. Whether it's providing support (belay), navigating tough challenges (crux), or celebrating achievements (send), these parallels can help leaders cultivate a resilient and cohesive team.

Climb on!

-L

LeiLani E. Quiray is the Founder and CEO of be the change HR , Inc., certified Minority and Woman owned, a conscious company and social enterprise, providing HR support for small-to-medium sized businesses in any facet of HR from pre-hire to post-term and everything else that happens in between. She and her team also teach free job readiness courses and provide free coaching to trafficking survivors.? Her team is not only HR Pros, they are Life Changers.?

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