Skiing the Leadership Summit

Skiing the Leadership Summit: Lessons from the Slopes That Strengthen Teams

It’s the beginning of March, and part of our Odyssey Teams crew is carving fresh lines in beautiful Lake Tahoe, California. General Manager Jonas Herzog, Director of Client Success and Sales Extraordinaire Kim Clary, and her husband Jacob are locked in. This terrific trio has been tackling back-country runs, dodging trees and snow-covered rocks, skidding to thrilling stops, and flat-out crushing steep descents.

That’s snow joke—there’s powder for days, and the sun is out. It’s picture-perfect.

But amid the adrenaline and alpine beauty, they’ve also found time to reflect. The past few years have been challenging—personally and professionally. We’ve navigated uncertainty, frustration, and moments of feeling lost. Now, we’re emerging from that snowy abyss, still facing obstacles, but with renewed perspective.

What’s helped Jonas, Kim, and Odyssey Teams weather the storm? Surprisingly, a lot of it comes from skiing.

Skiing the Leadership Summit - Lesson #1: Awareness Is Key 

A skier must be in tune with their body and the rhythm of each turn, constantly scanning the terrain and environment. Losing focus increases the risk of injury—for themselves and others. The mountain demands presence. Every shift in snow texture, every shadow across the slope, every gust of wind—these are signals that require attention.

Mindfulness techniques help skiers stay present. Breathing exercises on the lift, visualizing turns, and staying aware of surroundings all contribute to a safer, more enjoyable run. It’s not just about avoiding danger—it’s about enhancing flow.

The same applies to leadership. Practicing mindfulness—through breathwork, guided imagery, or short meditations—can reduce stress and improve clarity. Even five minutes of intentional breathing during the workday can reset your nervous system and sharpen your focus.

Odyssey Teams offers Mindfulness Sessions led by expert Chau Yoder, who has worked with Fortune 500 companies like Chevron. Thousands have learned to breathe easier and lead from awareness. Imagine your team—less stressed, more peaceful, and better equipped to handle challenges. Imagine meetings where people show up fully present, not just physically but emotionally and mentally. That’s the power of awareness.

Skiing the Leadership Summit - Lesson #2: Be Deliberate in Your Adventure

Skiing is all about measured risk. Once you’re at the top of the mountain, you choose your path. Pause. Take in the view. Envision your run. Assess what could happen and what should happen. The mountain doesn’t care how confident you are—it responds to how prepared you are.

In backcountry skiing, preparation is critical. Avalanche forecasts, rescue training, and advice from ski patrollers or trail maps can make all the difference. A wrong turn on a blue run might land you on terrain you weren’t ready for. And once you’re committed, turning back isn’t always an option.

Leadership is no different. Being deliberate in your decisions—while staying adaptable—is essential. As Eric Hoffer said, “In times of change the learners inherit the earth…”

At Odyssey, we’ve adapted. We built a state-of-the-art studio in Chico, CA to host virtual teambuilding events. Our speakers learned to present on video calls. Our logistics team mastered remote platforms. We balanced work and home life. All of it required preparation, flexibility, and a willingness to learn.

Being deliberate doesn’t mean being rigid. It means being intentional. It means knowing your values, your goals, and your team’s capacity—and making choices that align with those truths. It’s the difference between reacting and responding.

Skiing the Leadership Summit - Lesson #3: Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Jonas and Kim didn’t become expert skiers overnight. They pushed themselves early on, took risks, and learned through discomfort. That’s how growth happens. You don’t master moguls by staying on the bunny hill.

Leadership requires the same mindset. You might fail—but you might also succeed. And failure often teaches more than success. Step out of your comfort zone. Embrace vulnerability. Overcome fear. These are the building blocks of resilience and leadership.

At Odyssey, we often say: “Growth lives just outside your comfort zone.” Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, trying a new facilitation style, or launching a bold initiative, discomfort is a sign that you’re stretching. And stretching is how you grow.

Comfort is cozy—but it’s not where transformation happens. The leaders we admire most are those who’ve dared to be uncomfortable, dared to be wrong, and dared to keep going anyway.

Skiing the Leadership Summit - Lesson #4: Overcoming Adversity

Every skier falls. It’s part of the sport. The question is: how do you respond?

Do you go back and try the same line again? Do you adapt and find a new route? What tools do you have to handle setbacks?

Forgetting your ski boots could ruin your day—or become a lesson in resourcefulness. Life’s roadblocks are opportunities to build resilience. The mountain doesn’t care about your excuses. It asks: What will you do next?

Leadership is no different. Accountability—owning your actions and learning from mistakes—is essential. When you take responsibility, you earn respect and grow stronger.

At Odyssey, we’ve seen teams transform not because everything went perfectly—but because they learned how to recover together. They learned how to laugh at the wipeouts, celebrate the recoveries, and support each other through the steep terrain.

Adversity isn’t the enemy. It’s the teacher. And when you learn to welcome it, you become unstoppable.

Skiing the Leadership Summit - Lesson #5: Let the Mountain Teach You

Skiing isn’t just a sport—it’s a metaphor. The mountain teaches humility, patience, and perspective. It reminds us that we’re part of something bigger. It invites us to listen, to adapt, and to respect the forces around us.

Leadership is the same. The best leaders aren’t those who dominate—they’re those who listen, learn, and lead with empathy. They know when to push and when to pause. They know that every team member is navigating their own terrain—and they create space for growth.

At Odyssey Teams, we believe in experiential learning. We believe that metaphors matter. Whether it’s skiing, rafting, hiking, or building prosthetic hands, the activity is just the vehicle. The real journey is internal.

In Conclusion:

Skiing has given Jonas and Kim a chance to practice awareness, adaptability, and resilience—skills that translate directly into leadership. Other parallels include setting goals, finding rhythm, letting others lead, and yes, having fun. Fun is a leadership skill too.

We apply these lessons to other activities—rafting, hiking, biking, running. Growth happens when we take insights from the mountain and apply them to the workplace.

At Odyssey Teams, our teambuilding experiences are built on this philosophy. We don’t just build teams—we build individuals together. Our facilitators help people grow as leaders, collaborators, and human beings.

Whether virtual, hybrid, or in-person, our programs give participants something to do, something to feel, and something to think about.

This isn’t a sales pitch. It’s a reminder that leadership is a journey—and sometimes, the best lessons are found on the slopes.

So next time you’re on a chairlift, take a breath. Look around. Reflect. And think of us.