From Alpine Descent
to Business Ascent

I stand at the top of a snow-covered slope in the Swiss Alps, gazing at the panorama of pristine white peaks stretching before me. The sky feels close enough to touch. A deep breath, equipment check, a moment of concentration—and the descent begins, demanding both intense focus and complete presence in the moment. The feeling is extraordinary: here, at altitude, things that often get lost in the daily bustle of business become crystal clear.
Over my 20 years in consulting, I've discovered a remarkable parallel: my years of mountain experience have become an invaluable source of wisdom for my leadership approach. This is why the "7 Passes" metaphor has so naturally become integrated into my leadership methodology.
Today, I want to share five key lessons the mountains have taught me about leadership—lessons that have become my foundational principles for work and business.
1. Clarity of Vision and Route Planning
On a mountain slope, simply "trusting your skills" isn't enough—you need to clearly see the route, understand its complexity, and accurately assess your capabilities. In the mountains, lack of clear vision can be life-threatening.
In business, such clarity is equally vital. I once worked with a development team that had been creating a product for six months, but when we began our coaching work, it became evident that half the team had different understandings of the project's objectives. This is not uncommon.
Practical takeaway for leaders:

• Formulate a vision that can be described in simple terms
• Regularly check how this vision is understood by all team members
• Create a detailed "route map" with key milestones
• Invest time in preparation before accelerating speed

2. Resource Management: Breathing and Energy
In the mountains, experienced skiers or climbers never waste energy unnecessarily. Every movement is economical, breathing is steady and deep. This approach allows you to complete the entire route while conserving strength for difficult sections and unforeseen circumstances.
Many leaders I work with operate in a constant sprint mode, expending all their energy at the start. Then they wonder why they lack strength for long-term projects and strategic initiatives.
Practical takeaway for leaders:

• Conduct an audit of your energy expenditure: which activities give you energy, and which drain it?
• Implement "micro-recoveries" throughout the day (2-3 minutes of deep breathing between meetings)
• Practice "strategic inaction"—periods when you deliberately slow down to recover
• Develop "energy checkpoints" when you assess your state and that of your team

3. Adaptability to Changing Conditions
The mountains teach us that a route is always theoretical. Reality may differ: weather changes suddenly, snow conditions aren't as expected, unforeseen obstacles appear. During this trip, the weather changed three times in one hour—from heavy snowfall to milk-like fog to strong winds that could trigger an avalanche. Rigidly following the original plan can be dangerous; you need to constantly check against the actual conditions of the market and work environment.
I've observed entire organizations stuck in outdated strategies that were developed under completely different market conditions. The ability to adapt quickly isn't just an advantage—it's a necessity for survival in modern business.
Practical takeaway for leaders:

• Create flexible directions with clear decision-making principles rather than rigid plans
• Conduct regular "horizon scanning" to identify changes in your environment
• Practice scenario thinking: "what if conditions change in this way?"
• Foster a team culture where adaptation is seen not as a planning failure but as a sign of intellectual flexibility

4. Respect for "Forces of Nature" and Systems Thinking
In the mountains, I've learned a deep respect for natural forces that are incomparably more powerful than human capabilities. You can't "argue" with an avalanche or "convince" a blizzard. You need to understand the systems you're in and work with them, not against them.
Organizations have their own "forces of nature"—cultural norms, group dynamics, systemic archetypes. An effective leader senses these hidden currents and works with them.
Practical takeaway for leaders:

• Study the systemic archetypes in your organization
• Before implementing changes, research the "ecosystem" in which these changes will occur
• Use visualization techniques and system maps to understand invisible interconnections
• Ask the question: "What is this system trying to tell us through its behavior?"

5. The Importance of Recovery Rhythm
The most valuable insight I've brought from the mountains to my leadership practice is an understanding of the natural rhythms of activity and recovery. After an intense descent, a period of rest is necessary. After a demanding day in the mountains, quality sleep and recovery are essential.
Many leaders design their work and team workflows as a constant marathon without stops. This contradicts our biology and leads to burnout.
Practical takeaway for leaders:

• Implement a "sprint-recovery" ritual in team operations (periods of intensive work alternating with periods of renewal)
• Create a personal ritual for full recovery—and adhere to it as strictly as business meetings
• Model a healthy balance through your own example (leave work on time, take vacations, don't answer emails on weekends)
• Encourage and acknowledge good recovery in your team, not just productivity

Mountains are strict but fair teachers. They don't tolerate self-deception, showmanship, or empty promises. They demand authenticity, mindfulness, and respect. These are precisely the qualities that form the foundation of genuine leadership in any field.
If you feel your leadership journey has become too difficult—perhaps it's time to look at it from a different perspective.
Every ascent in the mountains teaches us that proper preparation, energy conservation, adaptability, systems thinking, and rhythmic recovery aren't just useful skills—they're essential conditions for reaching the summit.

What metaphors do you use to make sense of your leadership journey? Have you noticed how hobbies and interests provide valuable lessons for professional life?

Yulia Zagoruyko is a coach and consultant in systemic leadership and team development with over 20 years of experience in IT and various industries. Author of the "7 Passes of Leadership" program.