Leading Like a Guide - Mount Kenya July 2019

To be a better leader, Lead Like a Guide, says Dr Chris Maxwell of the Wharton School whose research identified six leadership strengths of world class mountain guides:

• Socially intelligent - quickly establishing positive interactions
• Adaptable - matching their leadership style to rapidly changing conditions
• Empowering - providing a supportive space for growth and development
• Trust-builders - helping clients learn to trust themselves and their teams
• Risk-aware -operating with skill and safety in uncertain conditions
• Big-picture thinkers - taking an holistic view of the endeavour

Last July, on Mount Kenya I witnessed, and benefited from these skills myself. Without mountain guides Cyrus and Francis- and my team - I would never have reached that peak. I cried quite a bit.

A year ago none of us could ever have imagined our world today.

But these leadership skills can provide a valuable reminder of how to help others navigate - and achieve - in new and challenging environments.