Why did I spend this weekend climbing a Utah mountain with a former Navy SEAL and seven strangers? Allow me to explain…
When my friend Kimo Clark, a contractor in Hawaii, told me late last year that he signed up for the Basic Course facilitated by 3 of 7, I threw my hat in the ring. I’d heard Chadd Wright on a few podcast interviews, and I knew he was a man I’d love to learn from.
Rather than doing Chadd an injustice by trying to summarize who he is, here’s a podcast episode I highly recommend listening to featuring him and Andy Frisella — PODCAST
3 of 7 selected me for the same trip as Kimo, and we were off to the Appalachians in March to do what I thought was a leisurely hike through the woods while learning wilderness survival skills. I was terribly wrong.
The Basic Course became one of my life’s best leadership lessons.
Our team rallied, but thanks to one lacking detail, the mission ended badly, and I felt like a failure (a feeling I know well but hate).
I was capable of more and needed another shot to prove myself as a leader. When Chadd said two spots were open for the advanced Alpine Mission later in the year, I knew it was my chance.
In short, the Alpine Mission our team of seven executed over the past weekend was a resounding success. Everyone on our team summited one of Utah’s most rugged peaks, and despite no one knowing each other before the mission, we operated as a true team.
Before highlighting a few of my takeaways, many people ask me why I do things like this. To me, it’s simple…
I take my leadership role for BuildWitt and the Dirt World seriously. It’s a privilege, not a right, and I have to earn my place. Due to my age and lack of experience, I have much to learn. The more frequently I can put myself into challenging situations that grow my mind, body, and spirit, the faster I can earn my position as a leader.
Here are three of my takeaways:
Team Needs > My Needs
The basic course was about ME, which guaranteed failure from the first step. With the Alpine Mission, I put the team first every chance I could and found nothing but joy along the way.
Physical Strength is an Enabler
I’ve exercised seven days a week for years and am stronger than ever. My physical strength allowed me to serve the team by bearing a greater burden and keeping my mind locked on leading rather than surviving, making every miserable workout worthwhile.
Leadership is a Skill
Naturally, I’m not confident or a leader. However, as I explained, I’ve taken my leadership role seriously and poured every ounce of effort into developing my leadership skills. My effort is paying off, and it’s remarkably fulfilling to put my new leadership tools to work in the service of others.
While mastering leadership is a lifelong pursuit, it only takes a few focused months to develop the basic tools you need to be effective. Not only will leading help you at work, but it’ll also help you at home and in the community. Learning to lead is more than worthwhile, no matter who you are.
Thanks for tuning in this week, and we’ll see you on the next one!
Podcast
This week on Dirt Talk, Aaron Witt and Will Paddock dig into the world of sustainability in the U.S. and how it plays a role in the Dirt World. Aaron and Will discuss the meaning of LEED, measuring the concrete carbon footprint, and why cement production has had to drop off (and the problems that causes!).
Vlog
The BW crew met up with Posillico to check out the Eastside Coastal Resiliency Project. The purpose of the job is to help prevent the east side of Manhattan from flooding during large storm events.
