What Mountain Climbing Can Teach Us About Building Better Teams

He’s a mountain climber.

He’s not climbing small hills.

He’s climbing Mount Rainier near Seattle.

To say he takes this seriously would be an understatement.

His name is Zaylan, and he’s a team member here at the Ellis Adams Group. In a recent conversation, Zaylan told me he was looking for a new climbing partner. On a climb last October, he couldn’t reach a handhold on a crucial part of the climb. His partner stretched out his hand and offered it to Zaylan as a handhold. Zaylan decided to trust him, grabbed hold of his hand, and was pulled up to the next section of the mountain. It was then he knew he had found a new climbing partner. The guy didn’t just look out for himself, he had Zaylan’s best interest at heart.

Not only is this critical in mountain climbing, it’s crucial when you’re building a team.

First, surround yourself with people who focus on others, not just themselves. Selfish people can suck the joy and life out of any organization. Build a team that cares about each other. When someone stumbles, they step in to help and rescue.

Second, know the terrain. Zaylan knows the mountains are rugged and dangerous, so he wants someone with him who can match the challenge. Business is tough. Leadership is hard. It takes tenacity and grit to last in the pursuit of any endeavor. As a leader, your inner circle should be composed of people with eyes wide open to the toughness of the journey.They should be aware they’re on a journey that will never have a destination. There will be setbacks, potholes, twists and turns. Help your team endure them all. Get people around you who won’t bail when trouble comes knocking.

Third, look for experience through tough times. Zaylan wouldn’t want an inexperienced climber by his side. The risks are too high, and the stakes are too great. When hiring, look for people who have been through some stuff. When interviewing, ask about what they’ve endured and what they learned from it. Learn why they’re better today because of what they’ve been through. People wearing rose-colored glasses are rarely helpful to a leader.

Fourth, Zaylan enjoys the climb. He loves the thrill of it all. As a leader, you must learn to enjoy the climb. Leadership author Larry Briggs has a famous line: “You must learn to love uphill.” The toughest sport isn’t football or soccer, it’s business. As a leader, you must learn to love uphill. The vision you’re trying to create will be the hardest thing you ever try to do. Go ahead and begin embracing that you must learn to love uphill.

Finally, be there to catch someone who falls. Life will crush so many people. When you see a fellow entrepreneur and leader flat on their face, reach out. Offer some encouragement. Be kind. Be that person who believes in someone. After all, someone believed in you.

Bottom line, build a team you'd want beside you on the toughest climb.

Intersecting life, luxury and leadership,

Chris Adams
Founder/ CEO

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