Leadership Ascent Testimonials
“Participating in the Leadership Ascent program has been an eye-opening experience. The most powerful takeaway for me was the realization that to drive significant change, you must embrace that challenging first step out of your comfort zone”
“My biggest takeaway from Leadership Ascent was to trust myself and the team to take that first step even when something seems difficult. Rock climbing served as a great metaphor to experience that. The key is to start, trust the process, and keep moving forward. Just like in leadership, you don't need to have the entire path mapped out before you begin. You'll find opportunities to step up, reach out, and push yourself further.”
“The trust part was huge for me. Once I trusted and followed what the guide said, I was able to gain more confidence and try harder. Ultimately, this allowed me to do more and climb higher, because I knew someone had my back. The same goes through for leadership.”
“The climbing was awesome. Even though it was the first time I tried this, I trusted myself and enjoyed watching my team doing the same. Trusting one another is super important, not just here but also in the office. We know that we have each other’s back.”
“This was an awesome day. Even though I have a weak leg I was able to get on climbs. I don’t like failure and this motivated me to try hard. Everyone supported me to try and it felt awesome getting on the rock even though I have never tried this before. I can now trust myself and the team to do something challenging and different.”
“Just like climbers have multiple ways to ascend mountains, we have numerous approaches to finishing a project. Ultimately, it all boils down to trusting our expertise and relying on our team's collective knowledge.”
Rock climbing is very similar to our day-to-day IT tasks. The climbing guides teach us the safety features, provide some guidance on how to climb mountains, and then let us climb. We have all the tools to be successful in place. Now it’s up to us to trust ourselves and our team to get to the top.
Similarly, in our IT world, we are given requirements and training on how to do the work. But it's up to us to finish the project.
Just like climbers have multiple ways to ascend mountains, we have numerous approaches to finishing a project. Ultimately, it all boils down to trusting our expertise and relying on our team's collective knowledge.
“My favorite aspect of the Leadership Ascent Program was witnessing each of us conquer our initial fears and inertia. Everyone bravely stepped out of their comfort zones, achieving a 100% participation rate—an inspiring testament to the program's effectiveness.”
Participating in the Leadership Ascent program has been an eye-opening experience. The most powerful takeaway for me was the realization that to drive significant change, you must embrace that challenging first step out of your comfort zone.
Incorporating 'intentional trust building' into my leadership style is now a priority. I'm committed to frequent check-ins with my team, ensuring they have the support and guidance they need to succeed.
Bringing the 'magic from the mountain home' involves several key actions. Firstly, assuring my team that I always 'have their back'. Setting clear milestones and celebrating their progress is crucial. Encouragement for every small step they take, leading to greater achievements, is equally important. Lastly, publicly recognizing their successes is a must.
My favorite aspect of the Leadership Ascent Program was witnessing each of us conquer our initial fears and inertia, ultimately overcoming the daunting challenge before us. Moreover, the incredible support from non-climbers, encouraging us to persist, made the experience even more memorable. Everyone bravely stepped out of their comfort zones, achieving a 100% participation rate—an inspiring testament to the program's effectiveness.