I remember my first experience trekking back home. It was a relatively short trek (2-3 hours) and I was walking in the footsteps of a local guide. Our group of 7 was soon down to 2 thanks to the difficulty of the trek. Walking in his footsteps was actually very straightforward. I just had to place my feet exactly where he placed them.
It was so easy that I underestimated it.
I remember my last trek 2 years ago. This was considerably tougher and longer. And here, I remember being the lead person in the group for a long while. And, all of a sudden, trekking got so much harder. The terrain was nowhere near predictable and deciding the best way forward actually took some thought.
If you’ve driven behind a lead car, you probably know what I mean. Driving becomes mindless. But, if you are in the lead car, you’re probably dealing with decisions every minute. This turn, or the next? Overtake the big truck, or not?
The big lesson here is that we can’t be leaders in everything we do. If we think we are, we are likely deluding ourselves. And, if we are reinventing the wheel in everything we do, then that’s just downright stupid. Many others before us opened new bank accounts, travelled to exotic destinations, started companies etc.
Whenever possible, we ought to make it easier for ourselves by seeking out those who’ve done things ahead of us.
And then, of course, there will be a few things in life that will need us to be leaders. We might be able to get guidance to start a company, for example, and even run a company. But, our unique styles will mean very unique journeys in life and work. And that’s where we will find ourselves engaged, fascinated, frustrated, challenged and rewarded. Our bandwidth for such experiences outside of our own lives is relatively small and demands us to manage it well.
So, let’s not hesitate to follow others’ footsteps. That’s how great work gets done and how great things are built. And that’s how we got to where we are today. And, when the situation demands us to lead – our teams, our families or ourselves, let’s do so with style.
Our style, of course.
A Learning a Day 