Leader’s Guide
Leader’s Guide
Your Summit Awaits Leader’s Guide
Copyright 2005, Jamie Clarke. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.
No part of this book, video, DVD, or CD-ROM may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, unless specifically permitted in the text or by written permission from the
publisher. Address all inquiries to:
Star Thrower Distribution Corporation
26 East Exchange Street, Suite 600 St. Paul, MN 55101
Tel: 800.242.3220 Email: [email protected] Web: www.starthrower.com
{ Table of Contents }
Welcome to Your Summit Awaits
4
About Jamie Clarke
5
Facilitation Tips
6
Training Tools
7
How to Train With Your Summit Awaits
8
Workshop Training Options
9
Facts About Mount Everest
10
Mount Everest Timeline
11
The Key Concepts
12
I’m Going To Climb Mount Everest
13
Care Enough To Confront
14
Follow Your Passion Without Obsession
16
Keep Your Promises Through Your Actions
18
Face Your Fears, Focus On What’s Important
20
Thank Those Who Help You To The Top
22
Look To The Future, Your Summit Awaits
24
Activities
Activity 1: Positive Confrontation
26
Activity 2: What’s Your Toilet Paper?
27
Activity 3: Passion and Skill
28
Activity 4: Keeping Your Promises 29
Activity 5: Thank Those Who Get You To The Top
30
Activity 6: What Would You Do?
31
{ Welcome }
Welcome to Your Summit Awaits
Thank you for your interest in Your Summit Awaits.
Your Summit Awaits is the inspirational and dynamic training program by adventurer, author, and speaker
Jamie Clarke. Join Jamie as he shares with viewers his incredible experiences on Mount Everest.
Although most people do not attempt to climb Mount Everest, Jamie’s messages about finding success in
failure, building relationships, and having the strength to make the tough decisions, are universal and can
apply to all organizations and audiences.
Your Summit Awaits is a fundamental development program that will inspire audiences to view their
challenges and dreams with courage and determination.
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
{ About }
About Jamie Clarke
Jamie Clarke is an adventurer, as well as gifted author and speaker. While Jamie continues to embark on
new adventures, he also travels throughout Canada and the United States telling his inspirational stories
to organizations both large and small.
Jamie’s passion for adventure began when he was a toddler riding in a bobsled through the Rocky
Mountains of Canada. This passion has been present in every endeavor he has undertaken.
In 1991, Jamie was nominated for the Order of Canada for his role in enabling the first live broadcasts to
Canada from Mount Everest. With 25 years of mountain experience, Jamie has reached five of the highest
“Seven Summits” in the world: Mount Aconcagua (1993), Mount McKinley (1996), Mount Everest (1997)
Mount Kilimanjaro (2001), and Mount Elbrus (2002). He was the ninth Canadian to summit Everest and
one of three Westerners to cross by camel Arabia’s Empty Quarter.
Jamie coauthored Above All Else, the story of his first two Everest expeditions, and has produced three
documentary films, which have been broadcast by National Geographic. He also authored the book Everest
to Arabia in January 2001.
Jamie lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with his wife and two children.
For more information about Jamie Clarke, please visit www.jamieclarke.com.
Leader’s Guide - Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke
{ Facilitation Tips }
Your Summit Awaits
Facilitation Tips
Before the Session
From experienced professionals to individuals new to training, anyone will be able to successfully facilitate this program. You have the option of following the training materials closely or simply using them for
additional support.
This leader’s guide is not a script. Instead, it gives you the freedom to utilize the concepts you feel will
work best for your organization.
To help your participants gain as much as possible from Your Summit Awaits, review both the program and
the support materials before the session. Consider how the concepts apply to your organization. You may also
want to consider potential comments and questions that participants might have after seeing the program.
Session Preparation
•
Review the program before the training session.
•
Review the support materials. Determine which sections of the Leader’s Guide you want to use
with your group (see the section entitled Workshop Options on page 7).
•
Take notes on how the content is relevant to your organization. Reference this throughout
the session.
•
Arrange the room so that all participants can clearly see the screen, you, and each other.
During the Session
•
Welcome participants as they arrive.
•
Introduce yourself. Invite your group members to introduce themselves.
•
Take a moment to discuss the purpose for your gathering.
•
Watch Your Summit Awaits with the group. Participants will appreciate your involvement.
•
At the end of the program, sit quietly for a moment before turning on the lights; give viewers an
opportunity to absorb what they saw.
•
When you ask the group a question, be patient if they do not respond immediately. If they need
prompting, use the questions in the leader’s guide to get the discussion going. You can also
direct a question to a specific person.
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
{ Training Tools }
Your Summit Awaits
Training Tools
Your Summit Awaits Workbook
The workbook assists with individual learning. Corresponding to the leader’s guide, the workbook was
designed for both individual and group study. It does not assume that a facilitator is involved.
Your Summit Awaits CD-ROM
The CD-ROM contains additional materials to help you facilitate the training program. The film’s transcript and PowerPoint presentation are included.
Your Summit Awaits Pocket Reminder Cards
The cards, which list the key concepts, can be given to participants as a reminder of the ideas discussed
during the session.
Leader’s Guide - Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke
{ How To Train }
How to Train With Your Summit Awaits
The Leader’s Guide
The leader’s guide examines the concepts presented in Your Summit Awaits and provides you with
multiple opportunities to utilize and revisit the concepts.
After watching Your Summit Awaits, you can choose to dedicate your training session to one key
concept or to several.
The leader’s guide is divided into seven sections, one for each key concept. Each section follows the
format below. You may also decide to incorporate some of the group activities on pages 24—29 into the
training session.
Key Concepts
The key concepts are training points taken directly from Your Summit Awaits.
From The Film
These are quotes from the film. They pertain to the key concept and will
help you review the idea, as well as identify the part of the program the
concept relates to.
Concept Insight
General information about the key concept.
Key Concept In- Depth
These sections provide detailed information on a specific element of the key
concept. You can choose to read this section word for word or put it into
your own.
In Jamie’s Words
An excerpt from Jamie Clarke’s book, The Power of Passion.
Discussion Questions
Group discussion questions to reinforce the message.
*Key concepts one and seven follow a shorter variation of the above.
Training Activities
The training activities continue to reinforce the lessons learned in Your Summit Awaits. The training
activities can be used in any type of training session. Some require preparation.
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
{ Training Options }
Workshop Training Options
Consider this leader’s guide as several separate training sessions. Determine which concepts most align
with your organization’s needs and goals and make the appropriate choice for your training session.
Please do not hesitate to create your own training format or use sections of the training guide to develop
your own session.
One Hour
Workshop
Introduction/
Show
Key Concept
Discussion/
Activity
Two Hour
Workshop
Half Day
Workshop
Your Summit Awaits
Your Summit Awaits
Your Summit Awaits
Select one
Key Concept
Select one or two
Key Concepts
Select three or four
Key Concepts
Share with the group
one or two Key Concept
In-Depth Sections
Share with the group all
Key Concept
In-Depth Sections
Share with the group
all Key Concept
In-Depth Sections
Two discussion
questions or one activity
Applicable discussion
questions, one or
two activities
Applicable discussion
questions, two or
three activities
PowerPoint
Presentation
PowerPoint
Presentation
Pocket Reminder Cards
Pocket Reminder Cards
Conclusion
Pass Out
Pocket Reminder Cards
Leader’s Guide - Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke
{ Facts }
Facts About Mount Everest
Elevation
Is known to be 29,035 (8850 meters). It is the tallest mountain in the world.
Name
Is known as “Chomolungma” by Tibetans. It means “Mother Goddess of the Earth.”
Was named in 1865 after Sir George Everest, the British Surveyor General of India from 1830-1843. Once
known as Peak 15
Age of Mount Everest
Is approximately 60 million years old.
Location
Mount Everest’s view includes Tibet, India, and Nepal.
Summit Attempts
Only about 1000 people have made it to the top of Mount Everest and more than 180 have died trying.
There are 14 different ways to get to the top of Mount Everest.
Climate
January is the coldest month on the mountain with temperature averages around -36 degrees C
(-33 degrees F) and can drop as low as -60 degrees C (-76 degrees F).
July is the warmest month with average temperatures around -19 degrees C (-2 degrees F).
At no time of the year does the temperature on the summit rise above freezing.
10
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
{ Timeline }
Mount Everest Timeline
1841
Sir George Everest, Surveyor General of India from 1830 to 1843, records the location of Mount Everest.
1923
Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest. He replied, “Because it’s there.”
1924
The first British Expedition to attempt to climb Mount Everest occurred. Climbers George Mallory and Sandy
Irvine set out on the morning of June 8 and were last seen “moving expeditiously” toward the summit.
1953
The first successful Mount Everest summit took place on May 29, 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing
Norgay. Their ascent was via the South-East Ridge Route, currently the most popular path to the summit.
1963
Jim Whittaker became the first American to summit the mountain.
1975
Japanese climber Junko Tabei is the first woman to reach the summit on May 16, 1975.
1978
Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler, Tyrolean climbers, became the first to summit the mountain without
supplementary oxygen.
2001
Sherpa Temba Tseri, at age 15, became the youngest person to reach the top of the mountain.
2005
Apa Sherpa surpassed his own record for the most Everest summits: 15 times on top.
Leader’s Guide - Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke
11
{ The Key Concepts }
The Key Concepts
Listed below are the key concepts explored in the film and further explained in this leader’s guide. The
guide includes comprehensive information on each training point, as well as questions you can use to
generate discussion and assist your group members in applying these concepts to their own situations.
Key Concept 1: Make Your Dreams Your Goal
Key Concept 2: Care Enough To Confront
Key Concept 3: Follow Your Passion Without Obsession
Key Concept 4: Keep Your Promises Through Your Actions
Key Concept 5: Face You Fears, Focus On What’s Important
Key Concept 6: Thank Those Who Help You To The Top
Key Concept 7: Look To The Future, Your Summit Awaits
12
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
{ Introduction-Key Concept One }
1
I’m Going To Climb Mount Everest
From the Film
“I enjoyed the pictures of the mountains, but it was the people, the stories of struggle and triumph that
caught my imagination and really excited me. I wanted to do that. I wanted to have those experiences.”
Concept Insight
Discussion Questions:
Even as a young child, Jamie Clarke knew that he
wanted to climb to the top of Mount Everest. It
was his vision, his dream. And throughout his life,
he took the steps necessary to make it happen. He
practiced and worked hard, he studied, he met the
right people, and he found an appropriate balance
of creativity, passion, and skill. When his first two
attempts to reach the top failed, Jamie was more
determined than ever to reach the summit.
1. Chances are, climbing Mount Everest isn’t
one of your personal goals. What are some of
your goals? What steps can you take to help
yourself get there?
On May 23, 1997, Jamie and his teammates
climbed to the top of Mount Everest. He was finally
able to accomplish the dream he had as a child in
his mother’s kitchen.
In Jamie’s Words
”... I have chosen adventure as my vehicle for
inward and outward exploration. It is my guide to
freedom. Freedom beyond fear and weaknesses
- beyond all that holds me back”
2. Have you ever met a substantial goal, work or
otherwise? What was it? How did you feel after
this accomplishment? What did you learn from
the experience?
3. Have you ever had an unrealistic vision or
dream? If so, how did you come to this
conclusion? How did you feel when you
realized your vision might not happen? Did
you modify it to make it attainable?
4. In your opinion, what is your organization’s
vision? What role do you play in helping your
organization get there?
Leader’s Guide - Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke
13
{ Key Concept Two }
2
Care Enough To Confront
From the Film
“Organizations, teams, even families have their ‘toilet paper,’ something to argue about to avoid the truth
of the matter… Life demands that we care enough to confront; to share and hear the brutal truth.”
Concept Insight
On each of Jamie’s three Mount Everest climbs,
he and his teammates left the mountain with new
information, insight to help them with their next
summit bid or their next challenge in the office.
On their first trip, they ran out of toilet paper due
to unforeseen circumstances. And that lack of toilet
paper turned into the catalyst for all the problems
that happened on the mountain. Instead of talking
about the real issues they faced, they hid behind the
toilet paper dilemma, as if all their problems could
be solved if they only had enough toilet paper.
The clear lesson from this experience is the
importance of caring enough to confront the
issues at hand and the necessity of being honest
with yourself and with others
Key Concept In-Depth A
Confrontation can be scary and stressful. Often
times, when we need to confront an issue, it is
because something needs to be changed or fixed.
A problem needs to be solved. Whether we are
confronting our personal challenges or each other,
it is never easy; however, since it is an inevitable
part of life, it is critical to know how to confront
people and issues in a positive, respectful way.
14
Everyone is different. Every individual is unique
with unique ideas, goals, motivators, thought
processes, and methods. These differences are
vital and encourage organizations to grow. Yet,
they can also cause controversy. Although many
conflicts arise from differences in opinion, they still
need to be addressed. Whether you are dealing
with a discrepancy over the way an order should
be placed, the way a contract should be written,
or an employee’s job responsibility, confrontation
is necessary.
A successful confrontation is made in an assertive
manner, not aggressive and not passive. If we
ignore the situation, as Jamie and his team did
on Mount Everest, it has the potential to fester
and become a larger problem. If we confront
it too aggressively, we risk inciting heightened
emotions and causing hostility. Instead of placing
blame or resorting to personal attacks, accept
responsibility. Invite the people involved to share
their ideas, listen carefully, and find an acceptable
compromise. Demonstrate that you respect the
individuals in the discussion. When you carefully
confront a situation, it confirms that you care
enough about the organization and the individuals
to take steps to make it better.
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
{ Key Concept Two }
Key Concept In-Depth B
When it comes to caring enough to confront, it does not always mean confronting other people. It can
mean confronting yourself – being honest with yourself. During Jamie’s first trip to Mount Everest, he and
his group did not confront the challenges they faced. Instead, they let their negative energy funnel into the
toilet paper shortage. They were not honest or open with themselves about their situation.
Whatever your challenge may be, make sure to examine it from all angles. Ask yourself the difficult
questions, even if you don’t like the answers. And then work to solve the problem. Instead of focusing
on the “toilet paper,” focus on how to solve the problem. When we are honest, when we look inside
ourselves and our teammates to understand the current reality of a situation, we give ourselves a better
chance at reaching our goals.
In Jamie’s Words
”I’ve always thought Mount Everest was more than rock or snow. It is something larger… The mountain is
a reflection of our collective desire for personal greatness. When I climb, I try to join with the mountain.
When I am in its presence, I am able to enhance my connectedness to my surroundings.”
Questions
1. What is the most challenging problem you have ever had to confront? How did you do it? What was
the end result?
2. In your opinion, what is the best way of confronting an individual when dealing with a sensitive
subject? Is it ever appropriate to get others involved? Discuss your thoughts.
3. Open communication is a critical component of successful teams. List other critical components of
successful teams and decide which are the most important.
4. Successful leaders and team members earn respect from their colleagues. Think about those you
respect in your organization. Why do you respect them? How does being honest relate to respect?
Leader’s Guide - Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke
15
{ Key Concept Three }
3
Follow Your Passion Without Obsession
From The Film
We’re all susceptible. Winning at all costs. The ends justifying the means. Another late night at
work. Another weekend at the office. Perspective lost. Passion?…Passion will get you to the top, but
obsession…obsession will get you killed. And we need to know the difference.
General Insight
On Jamie Clarke’s second expedition to Mount
Everest, his team members were faced with an
extraordinary challenge. One member, John, was
within one block, one hour of the summit. Yet, he
risked almost certain death if he made it to the top.
John made the difficult decision to turn back. He
listened to reason, not the summit fever that the
team was so susceptible to.
The concept of summit fever is not exclusive
to adventurers. Summit fever can occur at any
organization at any level. It is the desire to do
more than what is truly possible, to press on when
the circumstances are clearly against it.
Having passion and making educated, realistic
decisions is a vital lesson for every individual,
whether at home or at work. However, we can’t let
that passion turn into obsession.
Key Concept In-Depth A
In Your Summit Awaits, Jamie Clarke discusses
the difference between passion and obsession
on their second Everest attempt. For Jamie, his
passion was climbing to the top of Mount Everest.
It is different for everyone, yet we all need to find
the passion in our lives. Even if you’re working on
a small project or are feeling discouraged about
16
your next big challenge, find something within it
that warrants passion. Discover your inspiration.
Passion fills us with the desire to achieve what’s
important to us. It removes obstacles and allows
success. It is exceedingly difficult to achieve many
of our dreams without passion.
While utilizing your passion is a key element
to success on many levels, it is important to
remember that passion can sometimes turn into
obsession. And obsession can lead to making
detrimental decisions. At some point, everyone
has to take risks and make decisions; however, if
it is made with a mindset of obsession, it could
potentially harm the other people involved.
Obsession can be compulsive, it can cause anxiety,
and it can cause people to lose perspective. While
it is important to be passionate about the work
you do, it is also necessary to keep perspective,
make smart decisions, and avoid turning that
passion into an obsession.
Key Concept In-Depth B
There is another element that goes along with
passion – and that is hard work. Skill. Even the
most innovative and renowned people in the world
practice their specialty. Without the skill to back it
up, passion is futile.
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
{ Key Concept Three }
Jamie Clarke was not born knowing how to climb mountains. He committed to it. He trained, he
practiced, he studied. Climbing Mount Everest was his vision, yet he had to work hard in order to achieve
it. He tried twice before he finally made it. Think about the successful people in your organization, in your
life. They work hard to combine their passion and their technique into success.
Take a creative writer or musician for example. Most writers don’t just sit down and write. They have a
routine. They do writing exercises, they practice, they brainstorm. A lot of work goes into creative writing
before the final product.
Passion, along with dedication and hard work, can have incredible results. Finding success is
extraordinarily difficult when one of those components is missing.
In Jamie’s Words:
“I still go to the mountains seeking self-knowledge. Amidst the wind and cold, rock and snow, danger
and beauty, I uncover truth, and I find meaning and peace.”
Discussion Questions:
1. In your opinion, what is the difference between passion and obsession? How can you tell if you are
becoming obsessed with something or if you’re passionate about it?
2. Have you ever moved from being passionate about something to being obsessed with it? What
happened? Was there any risk in that obsession?
3. How does having passion about something help you reach your goals?
4. What is one of your passions, your goals? What skills do you need to make that goal a reality? How
do you practice these skills?
Leader’s Guide - Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke
17
{ Key Concept Four }
4
Keep Your Promises Through Your Actions
From The Film
“We got home, we met up with John at the airport. He was there with his girls beaming
at his side. It was love that got him down from the mountain. John’s girls trusted that
their dad would keep his promise. And he did. In our lives, what matters is not the
promises we make, but the promises we keep.”
General Insight
Jamie’s second expedition up the mountain could
have been disastrous. They were fortunate that all
of their team members returned home and made a
full recovery.
In Your Summit Awaits, Jamie recalls how the
promise John made to his daughters to return home
gave him the motivation to work his way down to
camp. Although people may not be risking their lives
in their work, the importance of keeping promises
and maintaining integrity is universal. John’s promise
served as his inspiration. The fundamental principle
of honoring the promises we make is applicable to all
parts of our lives.
Key Concept In-Depth A
Everyday, we make promises, even if we don’t say
them out loud. We promise to do a good job at
work. We promise to take care of our families and
the people we care about. We promise to make
smart decisions and act in accordance with our
principles. These commitments are part of what
it means to be a responsible member of society.
Keeping our promises also maintains our integrity
and character.
18
Every employee in an organization was hired to
fulfill a need. From the maintenance person to the
CFO, people are expected to be responsible, do
a good job, and keep their promises. And when
they keep their commitments, they send their
families, their colleagues, their mentors, and their
employees a message that they work with integrity.
Another element of keeping promises is making
ethical decisions and doing what we say we are
going to do. It means following through on even
the smallest details and keeping our promises
through our actions.
Key Concept In-Depth B
Whether you are someone’s boss, a team
member, a consultant, or work independently,
others depend on you. When everyone in an
organization does good work, it generates respect.
It creates an environment where people trust
others to do their best. When a workplace is
respectful and people trust one another, they are
happy to be there.
People who keep their promises and do what they
say they are going to do also serve as positive
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
{ Key Concept Four }
role models. Whether they want to be in that position or not, others will look to them for guidance and
inspiration in their own lives and work.
In Jamie’s Words:
“We have learned that when we set ourselves lofty goals in life, goals we all have regardless of what
mountain or mountains we’re climbing, we’re going to mess up sometimes. We’re going to be hit by some
avalanches. And yes, there will be failures.”
Discussion Questions:
1. In Your Summit Awaits, John’s inspiration is the promise he made his girls that he would get down
the mountain. What are some of the promises you make every day to the people around you?
2. In your work, are there any promises that you inherently made when you took your position? What
about unwritten promises? Please discuss.
3. Have you ever been in a situation that did not allow you to keep your commitment? What happened?
How did this impact the organization or the people involved?
4. Think about your role models in your organization. Why do you respect them? How did they earn
that respect?
Leader’s Guide - Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke
19
{ Key Concept Five }
5
Face Your Fears, Focus On What’s Important
From The Film
“How do you get across? It’s about focus. Focusing on what’s important: the relationships
we build, the work that we do, the people we care about, the skill we cultivate.”
General Insight
In Your Summit Awaits, Jamie Clarke learns that
his battle on the mountain is not only about the
physical elements, the wind and the cold, but
also, about fear. Fear of what could happen. Fear
of change. Fear of failure. Fear accompanies us
in many aspects of our lives – the fear of making
the wrong decision or the fear of the future. Fear
certainly occurs on a regular basis in organizations
as well.
On Mount Everest, Jamie overcame his fears by
learning to focus on the parts of his life that really
matter. In the Khumbu ice fall, Jamie maintained
his composure and concentrated on the ladder’s
individual rungs. He didn’t dwell on the crevasse
in his way, but instead, went step by step to get
across.
Key Concept In-Depth A
Even if we’re not trying to get to the top of a
mountain, we all have visions and goals we want
to accomplish, at work and at home. Sometimes it
is difficult to reach our goals. Perhaps the primary
challenge is physical or financial. Perhaps it just
takes too much time, we don’t know where to
begin, or we fear we will be ridiculed. Maybe it’s
the fear of failure.
20
In Your Summit Awaits, Jamie Clarke and his
team’s goal was to get to the summit of Mount
Everest. They had their vision and they prepared
as much as possible to attain it, yet Jamie still
needed to slow down and move step by step. In
any situation, the vision will stagnate and perhaps
come to a halt when the focus rests on the “what
if” questions. Jamie kept his focus on the rungs
of the ladder and moved slowly, intentionally,
deliberately, to get across.
Throughout the journey, Jamie had other points of
focus. Sometimes it was the people, his climbing
community, ensuring smooth communication and
safety. Sometimes it was the elements. Sometimes
it was the supplies. And sometimes the focus was
getting to the top.
Finding our focus also means finding balance.
Making sure we have the correct focus, not
obsessing about the negative, and remembering
our individual responsibilities within the big
picture.
Key Concept In-Depth B
No one wants to fail. Failure is discouraging. Yet
there is much benefit to be had when we learn
from our failures and apply those lessons to future
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
{ Key Concept Five }
challenges we encounter in our lives.
Jamie had to try three times before he finally made it to the top of Mount Everest. Yet with each failure,
he also made necessary changes. He took those experiences and applied them to his future ventures,
ultimately resulting in success.
In Jamie’s Words:
“The mountains and my adventures in them have become the bright light I use to illuminate my
innermost self. It is here that I find my truth. It is here that I learn to face the raw reality of who I am. This
is why I climb and adventure and will continue to for many more years.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you generally like to look at the big picture or focus on the small details? In your opinion, is one
better than the other?
2. When you are working on a project, what are some “what if” questions that often come to mind? Do
you let these questions get to you? Are you able to overcome them?
3. Think of a time when you or your team failed at a project? What happened? Could you have done
anything differently? Did you try again? Why or why not.
4. How do you and your organization deal with change? Do you look forward to change or dread it? How
does this help or hinder growth?
Leader’s Guide - Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke
21
{ Key Concept Six }
6
Thank Those Who Help You To The Top
From The Film
“I am reminded that whenever we climb, whatever we climb, we never climb alone. It is
important, when we get to the top, to look back and appreciate all the others who made
it possible to get there and give thanks.”
a gesture to Lhakpa, but also to the others who
helped him achieve this goal – not only this time,
when they succeeded, but also the two previous
expeditions.
General Insight
Although most people are outwardly thankful
for momentous experiences and achievements
like a promotion or significant anniversary, not
everyone demonstrates gratitude for everyday
activities like eating nutritious meals or sleeping
in a comfortable bed. Just like those examples,
an important place to display gratitude is to
those you work with. It makes for a positive work
environment where everyone knows their efforts
are appreciated.
Every family member, team member, Sherpa,
villager, even yak, played a vital role in Jamie’s
success on the mountain. Jamie makes a point to
recognize all of them and their continued support
through the years.
Whether you take a colleague who helped you
with a major project out to lunch, send an email to
a co-worker who made your day a little bit easier,
or announce to the group what a fantastic job
someone did on a new venture, acknowledging
others helps people know they are not taken for
granted and also encourages them to continue
with the hard work.
Part of giving thanks is knowing that whatever our
goal, it is not always reasonable to accomplish it
on our own. By acknowledging those who have
helped, we honor them and show gratitude.
Key Concept In-Depth B
Key Concept In-Depth A
Work, as well as life, has its ups and downs. On
occasion, something negative may transpire such
as losing an account, missing an opportunity,
or underestimating the budget. And it is easy to
remember the bad things that happen.
As a gesture of thanks, Jamie Clarke let his Sherpa
friend, Lhakpa, climb to Everest’s summit and
spend time there before he joined him. Jamie
wanted Lhakpa to go first. This act was not only
Yet, consider all of the growth, the new ideas,
and the good things that have happened because
something bad occurred first. What changes did
22
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
{ Key Concept Six }
you make in your organization or in your personal life? What new innovations did you come up with?
Sometimes the result of a negative occurence deserves gratitude.
In Jamie’s Words:
“Our two failed expeditions increased my appreciation of two things: the importance of individuals over
ambitions and my spiritual connection to the mountains.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Who in your life would you like to give thanks to? Someone who has helped you become the person you
are, has helped you get to where you are today? What could you do to show them your appreciation?
2. As a group, come up with a list of everyday occurrences that you are thankful for. Be creative!
3. When you achieve a goal or finish a project, how do you show gratitude to the people who helped you
with your accomplishment?
4. What is an example of something positive stemming from something perceived as negative? How can
you turn more challenges into an opportunity for good?
Leader’s Guide - Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke
23
{ Conclusion-Key Concept Seven }
7
Look To The Future, Your Summit Awaits
From The Film
“My hope for you is that you go forward in the work that you do and the life that you
live knowing that your summit; however distant or veiled by clouds, is ready to welcome
you. I wish you the courage and the passion to keep climbing. Your summit awaits, go
to it!”
General Insight
Discussion Questions:
With commitment, dedication, and passion,
Jamie worked to reach his goal of climbing to the
top of Mount Everest. He and his team members
turned their vision into a reality despite all the
dangers and challenges they faced. They knew
the possibility of success was out there and they
wanted to recognize it.
1. Whether business related or personal, what is
your summit? What, if any, set backs have you
encountered along the way? What will it take
for you to get there?
2. What does it feel like when you reach your
summit, when you accomplish something
you’ve worked towards?
With determination, most of our challenges, our
personal summits, can be accomplished. It is
unrealistic to think that everything will always
work out, but by being open to change and
maintaining a positive attitude, we increase the
likelihood for success.
In Jamie’s Words
“... I have chosen adventure as my vehicle for
inward and outward exploration. It is my guide to
freedom. Freedom beyond fear and weaknesses
- beyond all that holds me back.”
24
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
Activities
{ Activities }
Activity One
Positive Confrontation
Break your group into pairs of two and explain to the group that this is a role-playing activity.
Supply them with an issue or situation to discuss. Ask the participants to choose an opposing view from
their partner and confront it.
You can ask each pair to discuss the same issue or come up with one for each pairing. Chose a topic that
is appropriate for your organization.
Some topics may include:
• Budget negotiations/shortcomings
•
Marketing plans/schedule
•
Company outing
•
New hire
Ask the pairs to have a discussion about the issue and work together to find a compromise.
After five minutes, come back together and discuss what happened. Ask the group the following questions:
• When is confrontation appropriate?
26
•
Is there ever a situation when confrontation is not appropriate?
•
What is positive confrontation?
•
What is negative confrontation?
•
How can you confront a person or an issue without becoming angry or overly emotional?
•
What is your personal style of confrontation?
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
{ Activities }
Activity Two
What’s Your Toilet Paper?
In Your Summit Awaits, Jamie Clarke discusses that they fought over toilet paper instead of addressing
the real issues.
On a piece of paper, write down what you consider to be your organization’s “toilet paper.” Ask for
volunteers to share their responses with the group. As a group, ask the participants to determine if the
response is a valid area of concern or if it is deferring attention away from something else (remind them
that these are their opinions and that no response is right or wrong). As a group, come up with some
steps you can take to move past the “toilet paper” in order to confront the real issue.
Leader’s Guide - Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke
27
{ Activities }
Activity Three
Passion and Skill
Before the session, take a package of index cards and write different careers and vocations on them.
Examples are: Musician, writer, accountant, graphic designer, customer service representative, computer
technician. Make sure you have a card for every participant in your group.
Hand out the index cards to the participants.
Ask them to visualize themselves in this career.
Ask them, “If you were the career on your card, what might your passion be? What skills would you need
to know? How would you practice your skills?”
Give your group a few minutes to write down their responses. Then go around the room and encourage
everyone to share.
Note: If you are working with a large group, complete the same exercise, but break people up into groups
of 5-8.
28
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
{ Activities }
Activity Four
Keeping Your Promises
In this training session we have discussed the importance of keeping our promises.
As a large group, discuss the promises participants make to their organization. Depending on the comfort
level of your group, you can expand the question to outside of the organization. Encourage all participants
to share a promise they have made. Help your group understand that these promises may have been
stated, but they may be understood.
Once most participants have discussed their promises, ask them what promises their organization makes
to them.
Leader’s Guide - Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke
29
{ Activities }
Activity Five
Thank Those Who Get You To The Top
Ask participants to individually write a list of various ways they would most like to be acknowledged (in
public, in private, with words, or with actions). Encourage them to be as creative as possible.
Then, as a large group, ask each participant to share some of the ideas they wrote down.
Compile an extensive list of the ways people like to be acknowledged and make it available to all
participants. Encourage them to use these new ways of showing gratitude to others when appropriate. See
the list below for examples.
30
•
Write a simple thank you note
•
Include a notes in the paychecks
•
Host impromptu celebrations
•
Put an announcement in the newsletter
•
Leave notes posted on the company refrigerator
•
Write a letter written to the employee’s family
•
Leave a message on an answering machine/cell phone
Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke - Leader’s Guide
{ Activities }
Activity Six:
What Would You Do?
Ask your participants to contemplate:
“What would you do if you were not afraid you might fail?”
Encourage people to share what they came up with and the reason for the fear. You can also provide
examples for fear such as: time constraints, limited resources, ridicule, injury, not succeeding, etc.
Next, ask your participants to contemplate different ways they might be able to overcome this fear.
Encourage them to write these ideas down in a journal and simply consider whether or not achieving their
goal is worth overcoming the fear or obstacle in front of them.
Leader’s Guide - Your Summit Awaits with Jamie Clarke
31