Lessons in Leadership: Reflections from Hiking Machu Pichu

This summer, I embarked on another new adventure: hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This four-day, three-night excursion marked several “firsts” for me, including my first time walking at an altitude of 4200 meters, my first time sleeping in a sleeping bag and tent, and my first time to forgo showering for four days (thank you, wipes!). It was also my first extended break from digital and wifi connections and my first time enjoying so many phenomenal Peruvian dishes!

The adventure pushed me physically and mentally. Being disconnected from technology and fully present in nature allowed me to reflect on the importance of preparation, focus, confidence, and enjoyment in life, specifically as they relate to leadership. In this article, I will share my reflections and lessons learned while hiking the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

1) The Power of Preparation

Physical Conditioning and Planning

To embark on this challenging journey, I knew that physical conditioning and meticulous planning were crucial. As you have heard from me before I believe “Proper prior planning prevents poor pitiful performance.”?

I prepared for my adventure just as I would prepare for a business project. I followed a routine online with a trainer and even practiced walking with a backpack up and down hills with my dog, Mora. My goal was to ensure that I trained my muscles and built endurance to meet the physical demands of the hike.

Additionally, I recognized the importance of having backup plans. I created Plan A, which was to complete the entire hike. However, I also had Plan B and Plan C in place. Plan B involved having porters carry me in case of injury or altitude sickness, and Plan C was the extreme option of a helicopter evacuation in case of emergency. These backup plans alleviated any anxiety and provided a safety net in unforeseen circumstances. I’m happy to report that Plan A worked!

Setting Realistic Expectations

Evaluating factual data, such as the distance covered (42km in 4 days) and the altitude (4000m), helped me understand the magnitude of the undertaking. To set realistic expectations, I sought advice from others who had completed the Inca Trail. However, I soon realized that everyone's experience varied based on their skills and limitations. While most people warned me about the challenges of the second day, I discovered that the fourth day was the most difficult for me due to the steep descents and wet rocks, especially since my knees aren’t the best! I kept these challenges in mind and adjusted my expectations.?

2) Focus: One Step at a Time

The Power of Mental Focus

I’ve written about the power of focus in my newsletter, Inspired Leadership . Throughout the hike, I put that idea into practice. Just as in leadership, where tackling one task at a time is crucial, I concentrated on the immediate step ahead. Looking up at the long ramp or down at treacherous terrain only increased my nervousness. By focusing on each individual step and where my shoe would land, I could maintain a sense of control and progress. Every 200 steps, I took a moment to pause, breathe deeply, and appreciate the breathtaking views while hydrating myself. Counting those steps helped me break down the journey into manageable chunks, making it feel more attainable.

Drawing Inspiration from Training

I drew inspiration from my training sessions with my dog, Mora. In those moments, I would encourage her with the words, "One more step, Mora, let's do it!" I played those moments over in my head to remind myself to persevere and stay positive. Leadership requires a similar mindset, pushing ourselves and our teams to take that extra step, even when it seems difficult.

3) Building Confidence

Embracing Confidence Through Practice

Confidence played a crucial role in navigating the Inca Trail successfully. My confidence grew as I became familiar with using trekking poles and maintaining balance on uneven terrain. The practice I had put in before the hike paid off, as I felt sure-footed and in control.?

However, on the fourth day, I made a significant mistake. Due to a storm the previous day, my shoes were wet, and I chose to wear a different pair I had brought as a backup. This decision led to three falls during the night and a loss of confidence on the final day. I realized the importance of trusting oneself and sticking to the tools with which you’ve trained, even if it means dealing with wet shoes (or thinking ahead and having duplicate pair as backup!).?

Enjoying the Journey

Another thing that helps build confidence is enjoying the process! I often forced myself to pause and fully immerse myself in the moment. I met people on the trail that I may never see again, but the shared experience was special, as were the memories I was creating. We cried and laughed together, and those moments—even the stressful ones—were all part of the wonderful journey.??

4) Exploring Outside Your Bubble

Learning New Cultures?

Most importantly, my Inca Trail adventure reconfirmed the importance of learning about and respecting different cultures. The Incas were a great civilization; today, their descendants are the Quechua-speaking people of the central Andes. My hiking guide mentioned that while growing up, the Quechua-speaking children faced discrimination in school. Today, the Quechua language is considered endangered as it continues to lose ground to Spanish, and we’ve lost the knowledge of many great Inca? traditions and accomplishments.

The guide’s stories reminded me that diversity breeds innovation and excellence. If we don’t prioritize learning about other cultures and inviting them into our schools and workplaces, we could lose the opportunity forever.?

Adventure as Essential

Last but not least, in the Northern Hemisphere, we are in Summer. We aren’t always great at prioritizing and using our PTO in the US. I encourage you to take the time to enjoy your vacations. It’s so important to step outside of your usual routine and see life in a fresh way. In the long run, you and your company (or clients) benefit from you taking a proper vacation. I guarantee that you won’t regret it!

#leadership #cxo4 #vacations #adventure #machupicchu