As a manager, leading a team often means confronting challenges, making tough decisions, and maintaining resilience even in the face of adversity. Whether it’s delivering tough feedback, navigating a project crisis, or keeping your team motivated, these challenges are part of the daily experience. While many of us struggle with these moments, insights from remarkable individuals like Lei Wang, an accomplished explorer and executive coach, offer valuable lessons. Lei’s experiences, as the first Asian woman to complete the Explorers Grand Slam, provide a powerful perspective on resilience, leadership, and mental fortitude—lessons that are just as relevant in the conference room as they are on the world's tallest peaks.
Embrace Your Why
Lei Wang’s story begins with a seemingly impossible dream—climbing Mount Everest. As a self-described “ordinary person” who grew up in Beijing and followed a traditional career path in technology and corporate finance, Lei’s decision to pursue such an audacious goal was met with skepticism. Even when she arrived at the base of Mount Everest after six years of training, she was secretly deemed the most likely to quit first.
One of the key takeaways from Lei's journey is the importance of finding and holding onto your "why." In the midst of her climb, when facing harsh conditions and moments of self doubt, Lei didn’t focus solely on the physical goal of reaching the summit. Instead, she reminded herself of the deeper reason for her journey: to demonstrate the power of persistence and hard work.
Managers can benefit from this approach by reflecting on the broader impact of their role. As Lei pointed out, your "why" doesn’t have to be tied to a grand vision; it can be as simple as wanting to be a great boss or a supportive team member. When the going gets tough, reminding yourself of the deeper purpose behind your actions can help you find the strength to keep moving forward.
Everyone Struggles At Some Point
One of the common misconceptions in both leadership and personal challenges is the belief that you’re the only one struggling. Lei noted that during her climbs, there were moments when she felt like she was the weakest link, the most underprepared person on the mountain. However, she eventually realized that everyone was facing their own battles. When she felt too tired to continue, so did others. When she doubted her abilities, others were doubting theirs as well.
This insight is crucial for managers, especially those who may feel overwhelmed or unsure of their capabilities. It’s easy to look around and assume that everyone else has it figured out, but the truth is that most people are navigating their own challenges. Embracing this reality can help reduce the pressure of perfection and create a more compassionate and understanding environment for yourself and your team.
Act With Tough Love
After summiting Everest, Lei was exhausted and desperate for help during the final three-day descent. When she called her leader, hoping for assistance, his response was unexpected: "Congratulations, you’re tired because you just summited Everest. I’ll see you at base camp."
Though harsh, this response was rooted in trust and confidence in Lei's abilities. It wasn’t a dismissal of her struggles, but rather an affirmation of her strength. As a leader, Lei’s guide knew that she had the capacity to push through, and his tough love helped her find the inner strength to continue.
For managers, this lesson is invaluable. Sometimes, the best way to support your team isn’t by solving their problems for them, but by showing confidence in their abilities. When you express belief in your team's potential, even in difficult moments, you empower them to rise to the challenge. This doesn’t mean ignoring genuine needs for support, but rather recognizing when tough love can help your team members grow stronger and more resilient.
Resilience Comes From Within
After her leader’s tough love response, Lei realized that no one was coming to rescue her. She had to find the strength within herself to continue. And she did.
This concept of inner strength is crucial for managers. While it’s essential to lean on your team and seek support when needed, there will be moments when you must dig deep and rely on your own resilience. Whether it’s making an unpopular decision, navigating a crisis, or simply pushing through a tough day, recognizing your own capacity for strength can be a game-changer. As Lei put it, when no one else is coming to save you, you may be surprised by how much you can accomplish on your own.
Lei’s incredible journey of summiting the world's tallest peaks and skiing to the poles offers a treasure trove of insights for managers: embrace challenges with purpose, empower your team through confidence and tough love, and never underestimate the strength that lies within yourself and those around you. Whether you’re facing a project deadline, navigating office politics, or dealing with difficult feedback, remember that everyone struggles—and everyone has the capacity to overcome. By leading with purpose, empathy, and resilience, you can inspire your team to reach new heights, just as Lei did on her extraordinary journey.
Listen to the entire episode HERE to learn more about conflict management.
Keep up with Lei Wang
- Follow Lei on LinkedIn here
- Invite Lei to speak to your next event here
- Join Lei’s coaching program here
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