Entrepreneurs: Beware of the Mountaintop Experience!

I looked up the word ‘success’ on Google and there are 1 billion results. I also searched for the word ‘failure.’ Guess how many results: 446 million.

What does this say about us?

My son was just accepted into Columbia University. I am ecstatic. He is the first ivy leaguer in my…extended family! He is a studious young man and I think he takes after his dad. LOL  Anyway, over the years, we have had lots of conversations about God, the meaning of life and our purpose in this world. He recently mentioned a quote I said that stuck with him:

“Don’t get to the mountaintop and realize you are the only one there.”

 
He wasn’t quite sure what I meant and asked me to explain it further. I don’t even remember where I got this quote but I am guessing one of my mentors said it to me. I talked with him about different types of leaders (leading from the front, leading from the back, etc). Somehow, we were distracted and did not finish the conversation.

But later, I sat and thought more about the quote. (He is on LinkedIn so I am sure he will find this short article. LOL) The world is littered with people who will sell their identity, trusted friends, family and even their children for success. 

The latest American Freshman Survey says four-fifths of college freshmen rank their ‘drive to succeed’ as above average. Even more students consider themselves gifted. Our international rankings are dismal. But there is one stat where youth shine found in the 2010 “Waiting for Superman’ documentary about American grade school education:

“American students outranked students from other countries in one area: confidence.”

 
In this age of reality TV, DIY celebrities and Youtube stars, the idea of success has broadened and there seems to be an unhealthy extreme fixation on self, personal branding, fame and fortune. A recent example is when Essena O’Neill, an Instagram model, quit using social media and revealed how fake her ‘dream life’ is. In a race to achieve bodily perfection, she skipped meals to appeal to brands and build a following.

So, here are my thoughts about the mountaintop experience:

The mountaintop experience is not the sum total of who you are

Achieving some type of success in life should be tempered with knowing that many sacrificed so you can get there. Every successful person stands on the shoulders of an invisible army that others cannot always see, including me. Whenever I do a presentation to young people, I always remind my hearers that I am here today because of others who poured into me. This is why I believe there is no such thing as a ‘self-made person.’ Working hard can make you stand out but it is no guarantee of success. Sometimes, the chips are stacked against you so still work hard, be creative and keep success in perspective. I think about my ancestors who were denied access and opportunity but still became a rung in my ladder. I am grateful. But, there are those whose privilege gives them a swift elevator ride to the top yet want us to believe that its in their genes…like they are the son or daughter of Zeus. The fall from grace is long and steep for these people…when it happens. So, don’t forget how you got to the mountaintop.

The mountaintop experience is meant to be shared

Victory is nothing without others to share it with. Great leaders know this. Loneliness is a constant companion in leadership especially for those who develop cults around themselves. Sometimes sharing means acknowledging those who helped and inspiring the next generation. When I was involved in youth development work, I always invited a few youth to come with me when I went somewhere to present or do business. (I had my own tshirt line that I used to teach them about entrepreneurship.) The goal was to demystify what I do, show the importance of preparation and inspire them to think about their future. The most important times were when I allowed them to be around my wife and children. Any entrepreneur that has failed miserably knows what it is like to be lonely. Sometimes friendships and colleagues disappear overnight. The surest antidote to loneliness is to give yourself away to those who really need you. 

The mountaintop experience includes the valley experience

There are people who want us to believe that the mountaintop experience should be the most common one in our lives in order to be happy. I know this to be false! I have met people in the developing world who are more joyful and content than Americans who have so much more. Unfortunately, there are a handful of religious leaders and some marketers who sell this pipe dream everyday. The truth is the valley is where we spend most of our time. Many entrepreneurs know this to be true…except for some. Some of our most well known entrepreneurs hide the fact that they have access to a privileged financial capital network (inheritance, family wealth, connections, etc). Entrepreneurs, wouldn’t you risk more if you knew you had a deep financial well to draw from? Valley experiences develop abilities such as faith, creativity, patience and resilience that translate into other areas of your life. The biggest oft ignored ability? Delayed gratification.Victories are fleeting but it is the failures that shape our character over a lifetime.

In conclusion, many entrepreneurs talk about marching to the beat of their own drum, swimming upstream and going against the grain. But while some are chasing material success, my prayer for my son is that he takes a more spiritual path and spread love. There are people out here who need us more than fame, fortune, a 500 company or a magazine spread. Martin Luther King, Jr. was motivated by more than the mountaintop experience.  The purpose of it is to see further and redefine success. Near the end of his speech, MLK saw further calling it the ‘promised land.’ He borrowed this concept from the Old Testament in the Bible to inspire African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. The promised land is a metaphor for God’s provision, community, freedom and self-determination. There is no room for success as a trophy. MLK demonstrated this by giving himself unto death. And because of what he experienced, he was afraid of no one. 

Prayerfully my son will heed these words and be courageous enough to take others with him as he goes to the mountaintop. Hopefully, they will see further and invite others…and hopefully so will you. Be encouraged.

As a treat, here is one of my favorite 80s group: Take 6. They are an a cappella group that sang contemporary R&B style, integrating jazz influences with spiritual or inspirational lyrics. This song is titled ‘Spread Love.’ Read the lyrics. Happy Holidays.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. Your shares, likes and comments are appreciated.