While the view and experience from the top
is extraordinary, it can also be lonely.
- Judith Coleman

"If it is a shame to be the second man on Mount Everest,
then I will have to live with this shame."
            Tenzing Norgay (Sherpa)

People often wonder why any human would attempt to climb Mt. Everest.  Considering only 30% of those who attempt to summit Mt. Everest, ever succeed.  What feasible reason is there for risking one’s health or life to merely climb a mountain?

We could look at leadership the same way.  Why would anyone want to take on the responsibility and risk, merely for the sake of others?   Some would say it is for the power, recognition, money or family security.  The problem is that all of these are merely results of the position of leadership.  Those few individuals who continue to practice the art of leadership know the true meaning and joy of what it is to lead and serve others. 

Success and survival rates have increased on Mt. Everest over the past 25 years, in part due to improved equipment, but every climber will tell you the most valuable resource is employing a Sherpa!

What is a Sherpa 
The Sherpa Guide is vital to the success of the climbers.    While the Sherpa has the knowledge and experience of knowing how to ascend to the summit, they realize that this is a personal journey for the climbers, so they share the path, keep climbers on pace, focused and alert climbers to potential dangers.   Every climber acknowledges the importance of their Sherpa Guide.  Sherpa guides are accustomed to the conditions of high altitude and can predict bad weather that makes a climb impossible. Sherpa’s design routes for the climb because they know the terrain.  Sherpas offer suggestions, ideas and improvements on the "tools of the trade": skills and resources needed for the climb.

Sherpa coaches understand what life is like for leaders and executives. A Sherpa coach knows the dangers of professional life and what might make a leader’s journey unsuccessful. The Sherpa process is designed with a clear choice of paths a leader or executive can take to reach their own summit.  Finally, Sherpa coaches have an inventory of tools designed to aid a leader or executive's climb to the top.  Again, the Sherpa Coach is merely a guide; this is your journey, your ascent to the summit of your success. Our Elevate leadership development process is expected to produce specific, positive changes in business behavior within a fixed time frame.

The Journey
A&I Advisors “Elevate” program is a deliberate and focused process to guide and support your journey, to the summit of your success.  While many references are made to Mt. Everest, they are used as an illustration for your leadership journey.  Elevate is a self-discovery course that can be used at your pace. 
What makes our Elevate leadership development programs successful?  Accountability!  Few leadership development programs build accountability into their process.  Developing the art of leadership takes commitment and perseverance.  As your personal Sherpa, we are there to keep you on the right path, warn you of dangers and inspire your continuing efforts to make one of the most challenging, but rewarding journeys of your life.  Are you ready to start your journey and ascend to the summit of your success?


Who should Elevate?

Individuals - Every person, with any ambition, wants to know how to get to the next level.  Elevate works with individuals, to develop their ability to lead from within. No matter where you are within the organization, or life, you can have influence on those above, below and equal to you.

Businesses – a strong attribute to any company is that they offer professional development opportunities to their employees.  Organizations with a succession plan or internal development opportunities retain top talent and strengthen their position in the market. Our process ensures your employees are on task to meet your future needs.  The return on investment (ROI) for talent retention or succession planning programs has been proven to both save money and improve organizational success.

Where do I start?
Basecamp is the starting point for your journey.  Here you will take stock of your professional resources and discover your vision, your “Why” and begin understanding that commitment to the journey is paramount.

Products and Services

Elevate - Leadership Self-Discovery – an A-Z leadership development program for those with limited leadership knowledge or experience.  This program challenges the learner to take responsibility to develop as a leader and our accountability process assists the learner to never stop climbing. 

As a client, you will be assigned a personal Sherpa guide to advise and enable you on your journey.  This Sherpa is a valuable resource that you will have total access to for no additional cost.  Our belief is that, while this is your journey, you will need support, encouragement and to develop an intrinsic motivation to continue when the path gets tough. 

• Basecamp – It all starts here! At basecamp you will become acclimated to the altitudes and culture of leadership.  We will take stock of the resources you already have and begin to prepare you for the journey ahead. Modules will include:
• Why it matters
• Vision vs. goals
• Culture
• Commitment
• Change
  
  

• Khumbu Ice Falls – This is the first leg of the journey where things can get tough.  Here you will begin to develop and practice the art of leadership.  Many climbers underestimate the journey and this stage has claimed a majority of climbers and leaders. Modules include:
• Inscape DiSC assessment
• Leadership defined
• Traits of Leader
• Perceptions and myths
• Leadership vs. management

• Camp I – A leader is made up of Character and their ability to influence others.  With the knowledge and practice gained through the previous stage, Camp I will develop your character and your ability to influence the behaviors of others. Modules will include:
• Character
• Influence
  
  

• Camp II – Here your development will be enhanced, by understanding yourself others and how your influence will be best applied.  Many climbers call this stage the “Mirage”, as they can begin to see they’re objective, but not quite able to reach it.  Modules will include:
• Motivation
• Generational gaps
• Perseverance

• Lhotse Face – This stage will develop a leaders ability to organize teams and accomplish objectives.  This is the first time climbers must rely on fixed ropes, lines and others for their continued progress. Much in the same way leaders must rely on structure and others for organizational success.  Modules will include:
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Risk
• Trust
  
  

Camp III, Balcony, Hillary Step and Summit is part of our Sherpa Executive Coaching process.  Please read further for more information for Middle to Executive level coaching and development.

Sherpa Executive Coaching – The Sherpa Executive coaching program is the only U.S. coaching program taught on university campuses.  Sherpa executive coaches take on the role of the Sherpa climbing guide: enabling, advising and assisting in difficult environments with limited options.

Contact an A&I Advisors Sherpa today and begin the journey to the summit of your success!