Trailer: What is Leading Steep?

01/30/21 • 0 min

This is the Leading Steep Podcast. I’m Barry Kruse. I’m interviewing adventure guides and leaders from around the world.
Some are famous. Some you’ve never heard of. All have extraordinary stories.
I’m talking to people who lead expeditions in the mountains, on rivers, cycling the great passes, kayaking blue waters, chasing the most elusive fish, and delivering lifetime memories. I’m focused on both their adventure stories and insights on leadership.
I call this “guide ethos.”
It’s the common set of characteristics that great guides garner in crisis situations, peak experiences, and over many miles – as I did as a class V whitewater guide.
And you should know; these lessons translate powerfully in the corporate world, too.
Thanks for listening, subscribing, sharing, and rating the Leading Steep Podcast.

See more at leadingsteep.com

#guide #guiding #whitewater #river #rafting #climbing #mountaineering #fishing #trout #guidelife #safari #safariguide #tripleadertuesday

See more at leadingsteep.com

#guide #guiding #whitewater #river #rafting #climbing #mountaineering #fishing #trout #guidelife #safari #safariguide #tripleadertuesday

Previous Episode

Zach Collier: Thought Leader, Influencer, Outfitter, YouTuber

Leading Steep: Zach Collier

In this episode, Barry sits down with one of the most well-respected whitewater outfitters and guides in the industry. Zach Collier is the founder and owner of Northwest Rafting Company, which runs many of the best rivers in Oregon, Idaho, and the exotic paradise of Bhutan. Zach is a modern-day visionary and one of the world’s leading experts on the whitewater rafting discipline.

Listen in as Zach shares the various instructional video series and published material he is currently working on in the adventure and whitewater rafting space.

Zach then gives his thoughts on leadership, how he initially struggled to translate his skills as a guide to the challenges of running a business, and the six traits of leadership that he lives by.

Next, Zach talks about how Northwest Rafting Company spread its reach through a few key strategic partnerships. In particular, he discusses his first rafting experience in Bhutan with a group.

Finally, Zach goes into his involvement in the political sphere regarding the preservation and cultivation of rivers and river people communities.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

● [5:12] Zach speaks on his many ongoing projects in the adventure space

● [13:56] The slowdown of guide school applications and the increase in female guides

● [15:39] How Zach entered the world of whitewater rafting and getting into business

● [20:54] Zach’s leadership competency model

● [26:45] Why vulnerability is part of Zach’s competency model

● [30:30] Zach’s strongest and weakest trait from his leadership competency model

● [32:45] Zach’s models for leadership—as a guide and in general

● [36:59] Starting Northwest Rafting Company

● [42:10] Zach’s advocacies for the preservation of rivers and river people communities

● [46:25] How Zach feels about how his business is going so far

● [48:16] Zach’s parting thoughts on leadership

● [44:14] Richard’s involvement with MT Sobek and his various TV and business ventures

Key Quotes by Zach:

● “[On the traits of leadership I subscribe to,] one of them is having vision. One of them is empowering growth. One is building community; communicates, honest, vulnerable. That’s it. I want to lead with those traits.”

● “The most I learned is from getting other people’s advice. We live in an age where we can go to a bookstore and read books, and from our phone pull out a podcast and have amazing leaders at our fingertips.”

Resources Mentioned:

● Northwest Rafting Company

● Northwest Rafting Company on YouTube

● Zach Collier on Twitter

#guide #guiding #whitewater #river #rafting #guidelife #oregon #idaho #bhutan

Next Episode

Richard Bangs: "The Father of Adventure Travel" and Genuine Renaissance Man

Leading Steep: Richard Bangs

In this episode, Barry sits down with author, TV host, and world traveler Richard Bangs. Once referred to as “Indiana Jones with a conscience” by Expedia.com founder Rich Barton, Richard fashioned a multifaceted, adventure-filled career spanning over 50 years promoting travel that positively impacts the world.

Listen in as Richard shares his journey from local river guide to internationally-renowned globe-trotting explorer.

He reflects on his interpretation of guide culture, which to him is a combination of openness and curiosity both to the world around you and toward your guests, and the collaboration between each and every member of the group you are traveling with.

Richard also shares his thoughts on risk, and how one tragic accident early in his career forced him to reevaluate everything he was taught as a guide.

Finally, Richard touches on his many TV projects and business ventures, both past and present.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

● [3:26] Richard’s early days as a river guide

● [6:29] Traveling internationally

● [10:47] The most memorable of Richard’s 35 first raft descents

● [14:20] Comparing outdoor adventures to the business world

● [15:55] What guide ethos means to Richard

● [20:55] The unique bond that every guide forms with their guests

● [25:02] Traits that made certain guides stand out to Richard as great leaders

● [27:37] Richard’s most challenging situations throughout his countless travels

● [35:09] Working with various guides of various disciplines in many different countries

● [36:46] Richard recalls his time rafting the Zambezi

● [41:31] Of the 19 books Richard has written, which one would he recommend first?

● [44:14] Richard’s involvement with MT Sobek and his various TV and business ventures

Key Quotes by Richard:

● “The most apt comparison between [the adventure world and the business world] is being able to embrace the unknown, and actually finding an element of excitement and joy in chaos. [...] If you find meaning, purpose, and clarity in chaos, then you likely can find success.”

● “I think that there are many important elements of ethos when it comes to the guide culture and what makes a successful guide. But there are two that come to mind. One is an innate curiosity. [...] The second one is teamwork.”

● “If you can learn to face adversity in some manner, particularly in the wilderness, it will be something that becomes an ingrained lifelong process for dealing with issues through the rest of your life outside the wilderness.”

Resources Mentioned:

● The Lost River by Richard Bangs
● MT Sobek
● Steller app

#guide #guiding #whitewater #river #rafting #climbing #mountaineering #guidelife #tripleadertuesday #sobek #mountaintravel