THE MOUNTAIN CLIMBER- THE
Mayur Kalbag is a Leadership Coach, Corporate Trainer & Author who regulalry does corporate training in Fiji. This will be his regular column in our Jobs section on Saturdays providing readers some useful tips. He can be contacted via email: mayurkalbag@ hotmail.com
It was 6 am and we were already at the base of one of the peaks of the glorious Himalayan Mountains. I was one of the members of the leadership development team. We had been selected to become part of a team to participate in an Out-bound Leadership Development Training initiative organized by my company. There were expert climbers and they were continuously helping us to reach the top of the mountain. After almost eight hours of persistent and grueling efforts I finally reached the summit. “You have an hour to be here and then we climb down to the base. In this time I would like you to think of something positive and inspiring and then see how it can help you in your professional as well as your personal aspects of life!” saying this the corporate trainer walked away from us and sat alone presumably in deep contemplation. I too found a quiet spot to sit and then I inhaled a few deep relaxing breaths and began calmly gazing towards the serene blue skies. I began introspecting about the journey of my life. It was then that I started discovering new and extremely refreshing thoughts which were more about my own self-development and my pursuit toward self- excellence! “There is a lot that I can learn towards becoming a better executive and even a future leader just from the manner in which I climbed the mountain!” A beautiful array of inspiring ‘learnings’ began to emerge within my mind and I most sincerely wish to share these with you.
Mental Toughness- Climbing a mountain is never easy especially because you are climbing it at an almost acute angle or a steep gradient. There were certain points where the climb was almost vertical. “I don’t think I can go any further” a part of me would whisper in my ear and yet, thanks to my guides I was never allowed to think in that way. “Move it, move it, move it! You can and you surely will reach the top” Such words from my trainer as well as the guide helped me to become mentally tough and I did not stop. I realized that even in my organization there will be instances where I may face extremely tough situations which may negatively influence me to ‘GIVE UP’ It is here that I must become mentally stronger and not give up till I accomplish my goals that I have set for myself. I understood that failures must make me tougher and not weak! ‘WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING!”
No Pain; No Gain- While I was climbing there were a couple of times when I slipped and hit my shin bone against the rocky mountain face. Getting hit hard on especially the shin bone is extremely excruciating. The pain was unbearable and I felt as though I won’t be able to climb any further. “The pain is real and I know you feel it, but you have a choice to make; stop climbing and return to the base or endure the pain and reach the top. Remember, you have pain but your leg is intact. There are some who have climbed this same mountain on one leg and have done it despite the highest level of difficulty and pain. You have a choice, make your pain as an excuse or battle through it and reach the summit” After a few seconds of contemplation I decided for the latter and continued my climb! I believe, even as we work in our respective professions there will be situations that could give us ‘PAIN or STRESS’. There too, we have a choice, either make that an excuse to give up or battle through it and achieve our goal!
The MENTOR helped me- Through the entire journey towards reaching the mountain top I had an expert alongside to not just help me but more importantly motivate me especially when I was a bit down and out. This person would also tell me which part of the rock-edge to choose and grip. He was the expert with tremendous amount of experience and he used that to help me learn the techniques to climb the mountain. He therefore not only motivated me but also taught me the right ways to reach my goal. He was my mentor and his mentoring and motivation made a sensational difference to me and pursuit. I am sure, whether it is about climbing a mountain or climbing the ‘CORPORATE LADDER’ the role of a mentor or guide is extremely essential. I believe and hope that each one of you will find the mentor or role model for yourself!
At the conclusion I would like to say that we must always celebrate victory and share the happiness with one and all; and then later, also think about how we could have ‘ IMPROVED’ to help make our next climb more effective and less challenging! Finally, I realized that through my successful climb I had become, quite literally a ‘ROCK Star and if I started implementing the few but powerful points of learning from this climb into my work I could become the rock start in my organization as well!