ANNUAL GROWERS MEETING
Lessons from the Mountain:
Climber Inspires Young Leaders
on Risk Taking, Leadership
“I hope that when you leave here tonight, you will ask
yourself, ‘How can I best lead and have a positive
impact in the world around me
?
’” said John Stenderup
in concluding remarks to the Young Leaders graduating
Class of 2018.
Stenderup was making his second appearance as the
featured speaker to a graduating class. Last year, the son
of
Blue Diamond
members Kent and Patty Stenderup of
Arvin, spoke to the 2017 class about lessons learned from
his successful climb of Mounts Everest and Lhotse. This
year he shared wisdom gleaned from his most challenging
climb yet, a hazardous trek to the summit of the world’s
second highest mountain, K2 in Pakistan.
Deal with Your Fears
“Scaling K2, the scariest mountain on Earth, forced me to
learn lessons critical for survival, but those lessons also
apply to the everyday world where they can lead to a
more fulfilling career and life,” he said. “First of all, deal
with your fears. The fears that we don’t face become
our limits. When you overcome your fears, you will be
amazed at the doors that open in your life.”
When Stenderup was invited to join the expedition to
summit K2, he hesitated, knowing it has claimed many lives
over the years. “But then I realized that I could not say
no, because I knew that, if I turned it down, I might not
have the opportunity again and that would haunt me. My
greatest fear was to regret not giving myself the chance
to succeed.”
Lead by Example
As the team encountered rock falls, avalanches, gale-force
winds, driving snow, sub-zero temperatures and oxygen
deprivation, life-saving qualities in each of the men kept
them moving up the mountain. “On several occasions,
one of our Sherpas would take the lead when the rest
of us hesitated, ready to turn back when faced with a
treacherous situation. We might not have completed the
climb without his leadership,” said Stenderup.
It’s Okay to Be Wrong
In another incident, a gathering storm threatened the climb,
despite weather forecasts of clearing skies. “Several of
us proposed returning to base camp, but others disagreed
saying we should continue the climb on schedule,” he
said. “We finally relented and moved on up without
incident. This proved once more that it’s okay to be wrong
because sometimes others have good ideas.”
Call Your Mom
Stenderup became only the 21
st
American to conquer K2
when he reached the summit on July 22, 2018. “That was
the proudest moment of my life,” he said. He promptly
called his mom, something he urges everyone to do often.
Other Lessons Learned
In reflecting on his multiple summit treks, Stenderup offers
these additional lessons from the mountain:
• Go out in the world and make your own experiences.
• Set a goal and achieve it. Being proud of your
accomplishments is okay.
• Never cut corners, give your mission everything you
have.
• Hold yourself accountable, to the mission, to yourself
and those around you.
• Lead like a Sherpa, by example.
• Take every opportunity to make a difference in the
world.
And don’t forget to call your mom!
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A L M O N D F A C T S
