How Danae’s Kilimanjaro Story Influenced My Leadership Development Series (Leadership Courage)

How Danae’s Kilimanjaro Story Influenced My Leadership Development Series (Leadership Courage)

In the middle of doing research for a new leadership development series, The Sisu Courage Series, we get a pleasant surprise. Our daughter, Danae, is home for a visit. She is currently doing leadership development work with STEMM in Tanzania. Her life is a non-stop adventure in Africa – from working with 51 orphans to feeding zebras! But, there is one story we’re most excited to hear…

Earlier this year, Danae tells us that she and a group of friends are planning to climb Kilimanjaro.  It’s the highest mountain in Africa and I’m concerned. Danae isn’t an experienced mountaineer.

This is her version of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure:

“I never thought I would climb a mountain. Yet, here I am with my friends. We’re on our way to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The highest mountain in Africa.

I have a few friends who love to climb mountains. Every now and then, they try to convince me to join them in climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. They would tell me stories of waking up at 3 am, so they could make it to the top before the weather turned.

This prospect never really interests me. Don’t get me wrong, I love hiking! I love a slow ramble over rolling hills, rocky faces, and through streams. I love the smell of dirt mixed with sweat. What I don’t understand is why people climb to the top of something so they can’t see it anymore.

It’s like climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower. You have a great view of Paris! Then you realize the most iconic building in the Paris skyline is no longer visible!

Currently, I live about a 45-minute drive from the base of Kilimanjaro.

On a clear day, Mount Kilimanjaro is visible from my front door. The sight of Africa’s tallest mountain is something I’ll never get used to. 

I listen to stories of my co-workers about their attempts to climb Kilimanjaro. And decide that it’s not for me – it sounds much too hard! But as time goes by, I learn more about the draw this mountain has on both tourists and locals.

A friend from the US says she’ll come visit me. There’s one condition: we climb Kilimanjaro! I decide to make the trek happen!

I spring into action, invite a few friends, and research the routes. My sources reveal that Mount Kilimanjaro is more of a hiking peak than a climbing peak. Technical skills or special equipment, such as rope, a harness, crampons, or an ice axe, aren’t required.

Well, maybe this won’t be impossible after all! But then I read that approximately 50% of climbers fail. This shocks me! If this is an “easy hike,” why do so many people fail? My internet sources reveal that this results from altitude sickness. Some choose the shortest route but don’t allow adequate time for their bodies to acclimatize. Others don’t have the right mindset, or they don’t use a reputable guide. 

So, lots of planning to do!

I had given some of my friends a one-week notice, so I’m not sure who will turn up! And then the big day arrives! On the day we leave I learn that two of my team members have never been hiking before, let alone camping. This is going to be interesting!

God could not have put together a better group. Our leader, my co-worker, has climbed this mountain many times before. Like me, there are three other co-workers with no mountaineering experience. And then there is Elizabeth, my dear friend from the US. 

As soon as we begin our climb, I’m in awe. I feel as if I am in another world. On the first day, we walk at a slow and steady pace until nightfall. Our hiking is filled with singing, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. The nights are cold and windy. It’s hard to sleep. Two of my friends have never seen snow before and now we’re sleeping in 35-degree weather! 

Despite the changing conditions, our spirits remain high. 

Then the day of the summit arrives. We had gone to bed at 6 pm in freezing temperatures. We awake at 11 pm. A full moon is reflecting off the peak of Kilimanjaro. We see the headlights of some climbers that started ascending the mountain earlier.

As we join them, I’m acutely aware of what lies ahead. Doubts are entering my thoughts. My headlamp goes out, and without saying a word, the guide hands me his.  

This is the moment I remember my Swahili nickname! 

Mom, did you know that many of my co-workers in Tanzania call me “Kichwa Moto!” In Swahili, their language, it means hot-headed, because I refuse to give up!

I always knew that one of the most important attributes to make it to the top is not physical ability. It’s the mindset of believing that you will make it. This is what distinguishes those who make it to be top from those that don’t.

I never realized how much I would have to draw on these positive thoughts.

After walking for about one kilometer, one of my friends is feeling sick. He’s not sure if he can carry on.  

In the perfect world, I had created, we would all stay together. No one would stay behind. And now, we are told to leave him behind with one of the guides. A few kilometers later, my other friend gets sick and we leave her behind as well. 

This is not how it’s supposed to be. My body and my brain are fighting with each other. I’m constantly talking to myself. My legs are tired, yet, but my body feels fine. My brain feels exhausted and every mishap seems to multiply ten-fold. 

There are three of us walking together with our guide. One of my friends keeps stopping to take a break. I’m OK waiting for her. I think if we stay together we will stay motivated. Then, the unthinkable happens. My two friends tell me to carry on alone. Alone!? No, I don’t want to. This is not how we planned it. 

I’m not thinking rationally. The one moment I left my friends behind, and now, I see them walking in front of me and my porter.

I start panicking. I don’t quite know why. A million thoughts run through my mind. Will my friends blame me if I get to the top on my own? Will they feel that I have abandoned them?

I’m wrapped up in hand-me-down, left-over winter gear that I borrowed from friends. I’m longing for my nice jacket and pants that I would have had if I were in the Midwest. I look like a child, wrapped in so many layers, I’m not able to put my arms down. My steps are painstakingly slow. The oxygen levels are not allowing me to go faster. 

I’m crying. Then, I realize I may not be crying – I may be hyperventilating. At this altitude, hyperventilating is dangerous. I pray that my breathing would slow. I hear the guide saying we must keep going. I walk for what seems like hours. I remain in a mixed state of bad breathing and exaggerated, irrational thoughts. 

The sun is rising. The scenery has changed to a steep grey wall. We’re walking at a ridiculously slow pace. I’m exhausted and I’m crying. And now my mind is playing tricks on me. Something inside me starts to falter. I’m beginning to wonder if I’m able to make it to the top.

Then I see my friend, Elizabeth, whom I had to leave behind. She is sitting on a rock, crying. I go to her and we hug and cry together. Finally, we’re reunited. We get up and start walking – if you can call it that. Putting one foot in front of the other.

Our guide grabs me and Elizabeth by the hands. He is gently pulling us along. Not letting us stop.

At last, we make it to the top of the first peak. I have never experienced a sunrise as beautiful. Someone is calling me, telling me to pose for a photo. I can’t stop crying. Now it’s a mix of emotions – I’m relieved that I’ve made it this far. We’re not at the top yet, but I’m feeling a sense of accomplishment. I’m mesmerized by the beauty around me.

Through my tears, I ask our guide how much further we have to go.

He shrugs his shoulders, and says, ‘You will make it to the top.’ 

He’s not answering my question. He just says you will make it! I’m so grateful to hear those words. I’ve been crying for the last three hours, and yet, I know I’m going to make it. I know I will not give up. Those words of encouragement are the boost I need.

We keep walking for another hour. Our guide is passing bits of chocolate to us to keep us moving. 

Finally, in the distance, I see it. Uhuru Peak. Uhuru means freedom! There is the marker and behind it is a vast, undisturbed glacier with clouds all around and below us. It is breathtaking. My eyes tear up again at the sight of the indescribable beauty. Some of my friends had never seen snow before. With renewed energy, they’re looking in wonder. They walk around the pristine, white wonderland. We can’t spend too much time here. I can see the guide is getting ready to start our descent. But we can’t leave. Not yet. One of my friends fell behind, and he has not made it to the top yet. We had talked and dreamed about this moment and now he isn’t here to share it with us. And then we see him. He is slowly making his way to where we are. We can’t wait any longer and run to him. Hugs, tears of joy, laughter. Together we started and together we finished.

I look at my friends. This is a perfect moment. This is the moment I will think about long into the future. A moment that defines me as being “Kichwa Moto” or stubborn – not willing to give up on myself. and not willing to give up on the people around me. At this moment I realize that when people believe in each other and push each other, mighty things will happen.”

Danae’s Kilimanjaro adventure reminds me of the challenges that leaders are facing today.

 

It sounds as if we’re all facing daunting, difficult mountains. Several economic experts claim we live in the Era of Exponential Progress. Others say that these are times of incredible unpredictability. What is your reaction to this leadership mountain?

If Danae only focused on the harrowing stories of her friends she may have given up before she even started!

I’m inspired by the many leadership lessons in Danae’s Kilimanjaro story. It’s a story of courageous character, confidence, and collaboration.

Read the ADDENDUM to this story HERE.

This article was published in my April Newsletter. You can get a copy HERE.

You can read all the articles in the Sisu Courage Series by clicking on the links below:

How do You Confront Fear to Strengthen Your Leadership Development?

Leadership Strategy Insights from Courageously Taking on Mount Kilimanjaro

A Courageous Character Keeps Your Leadership Development Journey on Track

Gratitude Builds Courage to Confidently Turn Scary Times into Leadership Development

How to Courageously Connect to Improve Your Leadership Performance

You will discover how courageous Character, Confidence, and Collaboration will lead you. You will reach the highest point of your leadership mountain.