Mind over Matter

Last month my 26 year old son faced one of his biggest challenges in his life. He took on the Kokoda trek in PNG, in full combat gear in honour of the 80th anniversary of the New Guinea campaign in 1942. November 3rd marks the 80th year since Aussie soldiers recaptured Kokoda after a long and difficult campaign to stop a Japanese invasion of Papua New Guinea during the Second World War.

The Track starts around 48 kilometres (30 miles) to the east of Port Moresby crossing the isolated, rugged terrain of the mountains (only accessible by foot) to the remote village destination of Kokoda located within the Ora Province. At its highest point close to the peak of the glorious Mount Bellamy the trail reaches a maximum height of 7,185 feet/ 2,190 meters above sea level and is 96 kilometers in distance. It took them 9 days to complete the journey

During the trek, he was faced with terrain that you simply can not imagine, the weather was incredibly wet, hot and humid, they carried packs and gear weighing in at around 25 kilograms. On top of this, they were in full 1940's combat gear, not really designed for tropical locations. He spoke of how at one time he just broke down with the sheer overwhelmingness of what was ahead and that he felt unable to continue on ahead, but with the support of his mates, and some MIND over MATTER, he proved to himself that once he got his mindset to believe that he was going to climb that mountain, and conquer his fear of what lay ahead, he was unstoppable until reaching the end where he collapsed exhausted after marching into Kokoda with his mates.

He was exhausted mentally and physically, had lost over 5 kilograms over 9 days, was covered in bites, bruises and scratches and he had the biggest blisters on his feet that I have ever seen. But he did not complain, only spoke of how proud he was to honour those men who had walked the same track in 1942, including his great grandfather, whom he carried with him on the journey. He also shared that the integral key to his success was working together with his mates to ensure that they all supported each other, mentally and physically. Often carrying others gear in addition to their own to ensure the success of their team.

As his mother, I am so incredibly proud of him and his achievements and his natural humility during this challenge, but as a professional, I see so much more in his humble approach to this life changing accomplishment.

Real humility enables people to see real limits and accept others as their equal, or even their superior, in any given situation. Humility is needed in all leadership because humble leaders model and embrace integrity and trust in people, the lead by example and admit their own mistakes and shortcomings. Humble leaders don’t see vulnerability as a weakness, but rather see it as a way of giving permission to be vulnerable as well.

Congratulations on your incredible achievement Jacob, this is not only a life changing experience but a huge step in the development of the most essential leadership skill, humility.