Leadership 101: Here's the thing about the Summit...

Everyone who has climbed/hiked up a mountain knows this -- the summit is sometimes just not that rewarding. Yet, I can't remember any climber (or hiker) who hated the climb because the summit wasn't as expected. So what was ultimately more fruitful? The hike, or the summit? While the best picture is taken at the summit, the best part of the experience is the climb itself. 

And that's the thing about our summit-driven culture. It's a battle between the visually good vs. the actually good. 

I notice that most of us are constantly worried about the 'summit'. Some examples:
- The next tranch of investment
- The next product launch/project kick-off
- The next weekly check-in/sales conference/monthly business review/board meeting etc.

However, the summit is a distraction. To exemplify - 

• Preparing and readiness for the next investment matters more than the investment itself.
• Your day-to-day relationship with your clients matters more than the meeting.
• Building a product/making a product scale matters (MUCH) more than 'launching' it.
• Your work through the week matters more than the weekly check-in.

ocus on the journey, not the summit. Summits are a distraction.

And next time you see someone at a summit (any of the above -- investment etc.), simply think about what it took to get there vs. falling for the visual effect. It'll help immensely.