Leadership Theory Meets Mountain Reality
In November 2011, while pursuing my Master’s in Global Leadership, I took on an assignment that sparked creativity. Instead of writing another paper, I decided to design a learning experience and merge our ministry’s leadership framework with a climb up Izta volcano.
I invited several emerging leaders from our Mexico ministry to join the ascent. Over the next two months, we focused on three essentials in preparation: training our hearts for the climb, developing character discipline to push through pain, and building a community that sticks together when things get tough.
The Ascent
After a carb-loading meal in Puebla and a peaceful drive to basecamp, we began our 3:00 AM assault in darkness. At the first pass, as sunrise broke over snow-covered Izta, we discussed the leader as direction-setter and creating shared vision – the view was as breathtaking as the conversation.
Down “the slog,” we learned that some journey parts aren’t fun, but we need each other to remember the vision. At the second pass, where my first Izta attempt was thwarted by an avalanche, we explored the change agent role and how to involve teams in problem-solving. Thankfully, there was no avalanche this time.
The third pass straddled two worlds: Mexico City and Puebla. Here we discussed the coaching role in developing others.
The Heart of It All
The “Eye of God” – an impressive rock formation with a center hole – became our most powerful stop. While leadership roles and skills matter, understanding the heart and experiencing God’s transforming acceptance despite our imperfections has an impact like nothing else. After vulnerable sharing, we pressed through knee-deep snow toward the refuge.
Summit Lessons
We crawled over boulders to reach 16,500 feet, feeling on top of the world. But as always, the mountain had the last word. Storms rolled in, one teammate experienced altitude sickness, and we made the leadership decision to descend together.
Back home, each person consolidated their learning while I wrote my Master’s paper. We’d discovered that authentic leadership isn’t learned in the classroom — it’s forged when your lungs burn, your team struggles, and you choose their success over your comfort. This was the climb that began my thinking about the book, The Summit Within, which would be published 15 years later.
You can get your copy of The Summit Within: Embracing the Beauty of Imperfection on Amazon and begin your own summit journey! Also available in Spanish and French.
Steve Morgan
stevermorgan.com 
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