A Record-Breaking Leader
Mount Everest has been climbed 10,657 times since Sir Edmund Hillary first made the trek in 1953. The person who has climbed the 29,032′ mountain the most is a Nepalese Sherpa by the name of Kami Rita. Over the weekend of May 6th, Rita scaled Everest for a record 26th time.
Sherpas are often referred to as the guardian angels of the Himalayas. They provide a myriad of services for those wishing to scale Mount Everest. In addition to being guides up the mountain, they also set up basecamp, act as porters, and keep the hikers safe at all points along the journey.
Whether you lead a church, business, athletic organization, or non-profit, there are several leadership lessons we learn from Kami Rita and his fellow Sherpas:
Record-Breaking Leaders Are First and Foremost Servants
Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (ESV) The only successful leadership model is servant leadership. No one is more skilled at climbing or has more knowledge of the Everest than experienced Sherpas. Yet, these gifted climbers humbly serve those who employ their services to scale the mountain.
Record-Breaking Leaders Know The Way
There is a difference between exposure and experience. When going into unknown terrain or somewhere you’ve never been before, you want to go with someone who knows the way.
John Maxwell once explained the difference between a travel agent and a tour guide. A travel agent has exposure, but not experience. They say, “Here’s a brochure. Isn’t this a pretty picture? Here’s where it is located on the map. I hear great things about this place.”
But a tour guide has experience being on the ground. A tour guide says, “Here are the places you really want to go. These are the best places to eat. If you really want to have fun, go here. It’s not on the normal tour.” Sherpas know the best way to head up the mountain. They take their parties to the places with the best views. Sherpas have the experience to give others memorable experiences.
Similarly, great leaders know the best way to lead their teams because they have experienced what their teams have before.
Record-Breaking Leaders Have A Healthy Lifestyle
You cannot take people where you are physically unable to go yourself. To say Sherpas have incredible stamina and lung capacity would be a massive understatement. Quality health protects your leadership. It allows you to continue leading day after day, year after year. If your health goes, so does your leadership.
Record-Breaking Leaders Plan For Contingencies
Mount Everest is not an easy climb, it puts up a fight. There are constantly changing weather conditions and shifting terrain which can alter the expedition and put people in danger. A great Sherpa is an expert at navigating these unforeseen events. A great leader is an expert at navigating unforeseen events as well.
Record-Breaking Leaders Help Others Reach The Top
Sherpas help others reach the top of the mountain. In helping others reach the pinnacle of their professions, leaders help others reach the top as well. Smart leaders learn what their team members laugh about, cry about, and dream about. And then do everything within their power to make those dreams come true.
Conclusion
26 times Kami Rita has physically prepared for, served, guided, planned for, and made the dreams of those on his expeditions come true. May we as leaders be just as effective.
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