Ever get something logically, but feel nothing? Read on ..

I’m driving out of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and I’m saying a silent prayer of thanks to all those who protected, worked, gave their lives in this beautiful land.

this evangelical state is a seismic shift from when I arrived 15 hours earlier.

Yesterday, as I stopped at the various viewing points I was struck by the vastness of the canyon, but I felt nothing.

You could say that I logically “got” that it was big but couldn’t really get on board with all the hype.

I put it down to the fact that earlier I had been cosseted in the womb-like Antelope canyon as the shards of sunlight hit the rocks. It was a truly magnificent experience.

This was different.

This was not just a large canyon. It is THE GRAND CANYON.

It’s been declared already, so I felt obligated to be in awe, or at least not to express that I was under-impressed.

But all that changed this morning as I put my need for sleep aside and decided at 6:30am to get out and hike a section of Bright Angel trail.  I had all my reasons why not

-            It was cold (13 C / 48 F)

-            I only had summer clothing

-            I was alone & it could be busy … or deserted

-            I was tired from 8 hours driving the day before

-            I needed to preserve energy to drive 5 hours to Phoenix later

All of this got put aside when I began to wonder why this is a bucket-list-item for so many.

I realised (yet again) that standing at the viewing point and commentating on what I see is not my way of having a full experience.

I need to get in there, sleeves rolled up, fully present, and then make my own assessment. In tourism, as in life, there’s nothing “tick-box” about me!  

Armed with this remembering, I put my likes and preferences aside to immerse myself in the experience.

Plenty of water, suncream and the voice of a hiking guide from years ago “Be bold, start cold” ringing in my ears, I set off in my T-Shirt & light trousers in 15 degrees knowing from years and years of hiking that momentum brings warmth.  

From the moment I set foot on the Bright Angel Trail and began the switchback descent through the canyon, I felt my experience and my heart open up.

I could hear the voices echo at certain points; I was reminded of how much I love the point at which the only sound is the crunch of fellow hikers following the path and the chitter chatter of “Good morning’s” and “How far you going today?” as we acknowledged the common ground of the hike.

I could feel the heritage of all the ancestors who walked this path, who held ceremonies to heal the land, those who walked their mules up and down with essential supplies, and of course all the hikers who went before me.  I was not alone, and I certainly was not cold!

As I hiked further into the canyon, my perspective changed. 

I was no longer analysing the TV shot of the canyon from the viewing point; I was having my own unique experience.

I could appreciate how the sunlight hit certain points and how the shade protected the little grey squirrels that scurried about.

In a single breath I could smell the pine, the jasmine, and the dry heat. And hear the whisper of the cool breeze as it skimmed my ears and licked the back of my neck.

I marvelled at the natural arches that gave access to lower trails and stood in to let horsemen go by, careful not to stand in the fresh poop!

None of this was visible from the top!

As I got to 2414m (1.5miles) I was 10% of the way down to the colarado river. This rest-stop was my goal for the day.

I was inspired by others who had hiked and camped from the north to south rim over 4 days. I enjoyed the conversations with fellow hikers about water supplies, walking poles and soaring temperatures.

Our conversation was not about WHY, it was about “How” we were each going to reach our personal goals within this vast canyon of opportunity.  

My experience was transformed from one of critical spectatorship to wonder and awe through active participation.

This shift is one which we navigate every day in organisations. Leaders must be awake not just to their own mindset, but to the needs of their teams to get engaged or even evangelical so that they can enroll others.

1.       There are cultural norms within organisations that become accepted – some of which serve, and some do not.

2.       When we get out of the way of our likes and preferences and actually immerse ourselves in action it gives us data and can open up a whole new perspective.

3.       Always acknowledge common ground and progress.

4.       Heritage matters. The deeper our roots, the more we can spread our wings.

5.       Action brings momentum. Once the goal is clearly established, it’s all about putting the strategies in place that will make your vision a reality.

Caroline Hughes is leading a movement of transparent leadership which is inclusive of all. She excels in environments where leaders are willing to ask the hard questions of themselves and others, then take decisive actions. Her leadership programmes and coaching brings a unique inside-out philosophy to leadership and organisational change.

Get in touch through caroline@consciousleaders.ie or www.consciousleaders.ie