I recently took a backpacking trip with six other people through the beautiful Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. I had been looking forward to this trip for many months as it was my first backpacking expedition. Our schedule was not difficult as we planned to only hike about 2-3 miles per day to each campsite. You may not think that is a very long hike, but with 25 pound packs and medium terrain it was enough for us first timers. Our hikes between campsites would take approximately 2.5 hours as we made frequent stops for water, food, or just to take in the view. Most of the time our trail would take us along the 200 foot cliffs which provided lots of photos ops. (These pictures were taken on my wife's iphone.) I had no idea that the midwest offered this type of landscape!
Although this was my first backpacking trip, it was not my first visit to Pictured Rocks. In fact this was my third trip to this park within a 6 week time period. Suffice it to say I knew the area, but I still didn't want to miss anything as each trail we hiked offered a different landscape and terrain. As we would hike the trails I would frequently find myself looking down at my feet. Subconsciously, I was checking to make sure there was nothing to trip over on the path. I had to make a conscious effort to keep my head up. Shortly after I would catch myself within a few minutes I would be looking down again as I focused on the rocks, sticks, or roots that came up out of the ground. Again, I had to remind myself to hike with my head up so I could see what was around me!
Of course I didn't want to trip over anything so an occasional glance down would be ok. However, if I always kept my head down on the path I would lose sight of where I was walking. As I reflected more on this I thought that it was a good leadership principle as well. As a leader, I tend to focus on the little things that are right in front of me. I keep my "head down" and focus on the little things that are of no real significance. All the while I am missing the grander picture of where I am going, identify how to get there, and to enjoy being with the people on the journey with me. I have a propensity to get hung up and distracted with the phone calls, emails, and other such tasks that do not help in moving the ball down the field. Yes, I need to do these steps, but they should not drive my agenda or schedule.
As leaders, it is important that we see what is going on all around us and not stay focused on what is only in front of us. I will be writing some future posts on topics that have helped me to "keep my head up." Fortunately, as we hiked out of the park I realized that I was no longer looking down. By catching and correcting myself I was able to change my subconscious. I was no longer drawn to look at the little things on the path.
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