The Most Dangerous 11 Leadership Lessons I’ve Ever Seen

In my ongoing look at Apex Leaders, people who are the very best at what they do, I came across the most unique leader I’ve ever profiled. 

On Sunday, 60 Minutes profiled Alex Honnold.  Alex is 26-year-old world record holding rock climber whose style is described as Free Solo.  Free Solo is attempted by less than 1% of climbers because it is so dangerous.  Free Solo is climbing rock faces higher than skyscrapers with no ropes, just your hands.  See the picture above.

We’ve often said leadership is like walking on a high-wire but this is ridiculous.  I had to know what made Alex tick and what other leaders could learn from him…because he is easily the best at what he does.

• Apex Leaders Are Always In Control – “There is no adrenalin rush.  If I get a rush it means something has gone horribly wrong.  Because the whole thing should be pretty slow and controlled.”
• Apex Leaders Are Never Satisfied – “Always being able to push yourself.  Always have something bigger to do, harder to do.  Like, every time you finish a climb there is always the next thing you can try.”
• Apex Leaders Have Years Of Training – At 10 years old, he began climbing rock walls 3 hours a day, 6 days a week.
• Apex Leaders Have A Unique Skill Set – Alex has huge hands.  They must support his entire body weight when he is hanging on a rock.
• Apex Leaders Eliminate Distractions – Alex literally lives in a van down by the river.  He lives on less than $1,000 per month.
• Apex Leaders Are Humble – He is incredibly humble.  Alex never admits he is any good and is nicknamed by his friends “Alex No Big Deal”.
• Apex Leaders Are Most Calm When Others Are Most Panicked – He climbs death-defying cliffs to relax.
• Apex Leaders Make Decisions After Much Research – To prepare for free solo climbs, he does multiple climbs with ropes to learn the best routes.
• Apex Leaders Are Great Self-Evaluators – “I like to think I know what I can and can’t do.”
• Apex Leaders Have Great Passion – “I won’t stop because of the risk.  I’ll stop because of the lack of love for it.”
• Apex Leaders Must Know How To Celebrate – After climbing the mountain, there is no celebration.  There is just a two-hour hike back down the mountain. 

I’m praying for Alex.  If leaders who are at the top of the profession make a mistake, it really isn’t critical.  For Alex it is.

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For additional video on Alex Honnold, see below: