Last March, I took our leadership team on the Ultimate Immersion Experience to Spain. We spent an action-packed week all over Spain participating in adventures, challenges and experiences intentionally crafted to push the team way out of their comfort zone and develop their leadership. We did these things while enjoying the fun, sun, culture, cuisine, and coffee of Spain.

During one of our experiences, we toured the Cathedral of Seville, visited Christopher Columbus’ tomb, and were educated on the history of the Cathedral and the Giralda tower.  The Giralda is a famous landmark in Seville that can be seen from miles away as you approach the city.  It towers 35 stories and 350 feet over the city.  It was originally a minaret constructed for the Great Mosque of Seville. After the Christians overtook Seville in 1248, and converted the mosque into a cathedral, they converted the minaret into a bell tower.  The Giralda is a unique blend of both Moorish and Christian influence and architecture, and one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture I have ever seen.

After touring the cathedral, we were given the opportunity to climb to the top of the Giralda tower.  The interior of the Giralda is constructed with ramps that allow you to scale to the top bell tower area to take in the 360-degree views of this magnificent city.

The entire team was given this opportunity, and we were all thrilled and excited for this once in a lifetime experience.  Well, almost all of us.  As the crew began to scale the tower, I knew that one member would have a challenge with this experience. One of our team members, Jim, is deathly afraid of heights. Not only that, but he also has moments of vertigo and dizziness whenever he leaves the ground.   

Jim and I stood at the base of the Giralda looking up to the sky and to the top of the bell tower.  At first, Jim was 100% no way, no go, not going to do it.  I reminded him that he did not have to do anything that he didn’t want to do but should give it another consideration.

I then said to Jim.

“Hey Jim, this tower is enclosed and as you scale the inside of it, you really can’t see the degree you are climbing unless you peek out the little windows.  How about you give a few floors a try, just don’t peek out the windows.”

Jim reluctantly agreed to scale the tower. I gave him a big pat on the back and began to walk behind him.  He scaled one floor, then two.  5 floors, then 10. At 10 he stopped to take minute and consider if he would continue.  10 floors turned to 15, then 15 to 20.  At 20 Jim lost count, and he made it all the way to the 31^st floor.  At this point he decided to turn around and come back down.  I could see that he was elated and terrified at the same time. When Jim and I discussed this at the bottom of the tower, he was so ecstatic at what he accomplished, and so was I!

There is a huge misconception in the business and leadership space that if you do not make it all the way to the finish line, or top of the tower, that you are a failure.  This is a lie.  Although Jim did not make it to the top of the tower, he made is 31 floors higher than he was planning to, and 31 floors higher than he thought he ever would. This was a massive accomplishment for him, and he celebrated, as he should have!

Your journey is all about perspective.  When you are pursuing a goal, do not compare your journey to others; compare your journey to your own journey. Be sure as you lead and encourage others to accomplish their goals, that you do not compare their goals and journey to that of others.  Consider where they are coming from, their story, their history, their fears, their anxieties. Consider that 31 stories may be more than they ever thought possible.  Jim reached a massive accomplishment that day regarding his fear of heights and conquering it, and I am super proud of him.

Please know I am proud of you, and I am encouraging you today to keep pressing forward in your journey.

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