Reflections from the Mountain

​Not too long ago, I took a little vacation with my family to the mountains. We were staying in a cozy cabin that overlooked the Blue Ridge Mountains, a breathtaking view that seemed almost surreal. One crisp morning, with the temperature hovering around 48 degrees, I found myself sitting on the back porch with a steaming cup of coffee. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden hue over the landscape and painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. It was a moment of tranquility, a perfect backdrop for reflection and introspection.
As I sat there, sipping my coffee and writing in my journal, something caught my eye. Across the valley, on the mountain opposite our cabin, I noticed three distinct roads winding their way around the terrain. These roads, I soon realized, held a deeper significance beyond their physical presence.
The first road, the lowest one, meandered through the town nestled in the valley. This road seemed to symbolize the path where one's primary focus is on oneself. It's the road of least resistance, where the concerns of others are secondary, if considered at all. In the workplace, this could be seen as a leadership style or mindset where decisions are driven purely by self-interest. Leaders who walk this path are often preoccupied with their own success, neglecting the needs and well-being of their teams. The result is a fragmented, disjointed culture where collaboration and mutual support are scarce.
Then, there was the middle road. This road was flanked by neighborhoods, homes clinging to the mountainside, striving to reach higher ground but not quite there. This road, I thought, represented a more balanced but still imperfect approach. It's the road of transactional leadership, where interactions and relationships are based on exchanges. Here, leaders try to maintain a positive outlook and aim to be fair, but their actions are often limited by a quid pro quo mentality. They strive to balance their own interests with those of others, but this balance can be precarious and often unsustainable. The culture in such environments can be supportive, yet it lacks the deeper connections and altruistic spirit that true cohesion requires.
Finally, my eyes were drawn to the highest road, winding along the mountain's peak, connecting grand homes that commanded sweeping views of the valleys below. This high road symbolized the pinnacle of leadership—the path of selflessness and service. Leaders on this road are driven by a genuine desire to help others, without expecting anything in return. They focus on the well-being of their teams, fostering an environment of trust, respect, and collaboration. This road is not about elevating oneself above others but about lifting others up, creating a culture where everyone can thrive.
As I sat there, contemplating these roads, it struck me that in leadership, just as in life, we have a choice. We can choose the low road, where selfishness prevails. We can opt for the middle road, a place of cautious balance and transactional relationships. Or we can strive for the high road, where our actions are guided by empathy, generosity, and a commitment to the greater good.
Taking the high road doesn’t make us inherently better than others; it's not about superiority or moral high ground. Instead, it's about shifting our focus from ourselves to those around us, from self-interest to collective well-being. It's about building a culture where people feel valued, supported, and motivated to contribute their best.
As leaders, it's our responsibility to bring others together, to create an environment where collaboration and mutual support are not just encouraged but are the norm. The high road requires effort, humility, and a constant willingness to look beyond our own needs. But the rewards—a cohesive, vibrant, and thriving community—are well worth the journey.
That morning on the mountain, as the sun continued to rise and the world around me awakened, I made a commitment to myself. I would strive to take the high road in my leadership and in my life. Because in the end, the path we choose defines not only who we are but also the legacy we leave behind.