What do you get when you combine a zip line, a deep canyon, and an existential crisis?
Recently, I found myself in exactly that scenario, thanks to my youngest son’s inspiring courage during our family trip to Costa Rica. This adventure became an unexpected masterclass in leadership and confronting emotional barriers.
Here’s the reality: leaders, like all humans, make decisions based heavily on emotions. We’re wired for comfort, consistently seeking warm, fuzzy feelings and avoiding discomfort at almost any cost—even if it leads to questionable decisions.
Think about your comfort zone as a cozy blanket: comforting, familiar, and incredibly enticing to stay wrapped up in, even when it’s not serving you well. I’ve worked with leaders who, in an effort to avoid discomfort, steer clear of conflicts altogether. For instance, one leader I coach consistently avoids addressing problems directly, opting for positivity at all costs. The issues inevitably build up, and passive-aggressive comments emerge, confusing the team. His rational mind insists he’s simply being positive, yet he’s genuinely avoiding the discomfort associated with potential conflict.
Back to Costa Rica: My son Gavin and I began our zip-lining adventure with a relatively tame tandem ride. No big deal. But then came the real challenge—a mile-long zip line across a seemingly bottomless canyon. My heart raced, sweat trickled down my neck, and anxiety surged through me.
Then came the guide’s announcement: “You two go separately on this one.”
My anxiety skyrocketed. Gavin, my 12-year-old son, looked equally terrified. My instinct screamed to bail out immediately. But Gavin paused, took a deep breath, let others go first, and mentally reset. Then, without hesitation, he clipped himself in and confidently soared across the canyon like a fearless flying squirrel.
His bravery left me no choice but to follow. Summoning my inner Gavin, I clipped in, pushed past my emotional barriers, and embraced the challenge.
Leaders face similar scenarios constantly. We must learn to cut through our emotional noise, confront discomfort, and take action regardless of how we feel.
Real leadership isn’t determined by feelings—it’s defined by decisive action.
Sometimes leadership involves stepping boldly into the unknown, even when anxiety runs high and your inner voice is questioning everything.
What’s your canyon?
Consider this your invitation to identify your comfort zone, clip into your courage, and bravely leap forward.