Scaling Your Everest: A Leader

Scaling Your Everest: A Leader’s Guide to Wholeness

Steven M. Ruggerio | 2021

Abstract

Every leadership journey is different. The ongoing, iterative process of growth from novice to exceptional requires we understand the complex relationship between our internal worlds and external environment. Because of its unique journey, I liken leadership growth to the challenges of climbing Mount Everest. This manuscript uses Everest as a metaphorical backdrop because it provides the perfect picture of our life’s transformational journey with both rugged terrains yet unspeakable beauty. Whether taking another step toward the summit of Everest or pursuing the designed wholeness of our Created Self, Scaling Your Everest promises to equip leaders—regardless of context—with both depth and breadth of influence.

Unfortunately, today’s leaders operate in a trust deficit. Fractured leaders living fragmented lives underscores the gap between desires and deliverables. The key to connecting requires wholeness and excellence. The pursuit of wholeness (unbroken integrity) calls leaders to offer excellence, or Arete as described by the Apostle Peter who said, “God has given us everything we need for living a godly life,” more specifically, to “supplement our faith with moral excellence (2 Pet. 1:5-7) or the Greek word arete.

Arete is the act of living up to one’s potential and fulfilling one’s purpose. Unfortunately, because of past wounds, present pressures, and future fears, we settled for much less. In Scaling Your Everest, leaders will learn to develop an Arete Heart by practicing ten transformational principles identified below. The book is presented in three parts. Part one details ARETE and highlights the importance of:

• A wareness –Gaining a greater self-awareness and developing better insight of others.
• R eality Check – Before you figure out where you want to go, you must first know where you are.
• E liminate Excess Weight – Negative mindsets, limiting beliefs, unforgiveness, and any number of past wounds paralyze our development.
• T ools: Identify, Integrate, and Improve – No one climbs Everest in flip-flops. Likewise, leaders must utilize their tools venturing into the unknown.
• E ndurance: Inertia is deadly. Excellence requires leaders to persevere in the face of obstacles.

Part Two opens the condition and preparation of our HEART and consolidates four foundational components of personal growth.

• H umbly follow and lead – every person on a team brings a level of awareness and perception. Humility is the path of a leader’s purpose.
• E xpect Setbacks and Surprises – ARETE leaders use setbacks and failures as opportunities for growth and learning.
• A daptive Learning – lifelong learning leads to relevancy and integrative solutions.
• R elationally tethered – significant results, whether individual or organizational, requires teamwork and connections with one another.
• T ell Your Story – sharing our life’s highs and lows both encourage and inspire others to go further faster.

Finally, Part Three – The Summit – highlights our new perspective and transformational journey. This manuscript is the ultimate field guide designed to equip leaders with the necessary insight and skills to overcome obstacles and achieve their purpose and potential.