Unplugged Uneasy Unshakable; Stretching the leader within

It started with a decision - simple on paper, slightly impulsive, but quietly powerful.

I signed up for a six-day trek in the Himalayan ranges, climbing to 11,000 feet. I didn’t know then that this would become one of the most defining leadership reflections I’ve ever had.

No electricity. No running water. No network. Just basic food, a backpack, and endless uphill trails carved into rocky, muddy, slippery terrain. Add to that the thin air of high altitude, the unpredictability of rain and clouds, and a complete disconnection from the world as I know it.

And yet—I returned with more energy than I left with.

Not because it was easy, but because it was essential.

As a leadership coach, I often talk to leaders about resilience, experimentation, and the need to step out of comfort zones to unlock new insights. This trek was exactly that—a real-time laboratory for experiencing those ideas in action.

Every uphill stretch reminded me that progress often feels like pain before it becomes perspective. I had to rely on my breath, pace myself, and keep going even when I couldn’t see the end. For leaders navigating volatile times, the discomfort of change is not a sign to retreat—it’s a sign to keep moving. “ Discomfort is a doorway.”

While the terrain was unpredictable, the trek itself required meticulous preparation. Layers of clothing, hydration strategies, and team coordination were all planned beforehand. The terrain could change, the weather could shift - but our preparedness kept panic at bay. Structure enables agility. “Planning is what allows spontaneity to thrive.”

If there’s one truth the mountain made impossible to ignore, it’s this : “the illusion of control” 

No matter how much we planned or prepared, we couldn’t dictate the weather or terrain. All that could be done was to respond - with awareness, adaptability and humility. It’s a confronting truth for many leaders- especially those used to being in command. However in uncertain environments, clinging to control is not strength; it’s limitation. Instead focus on how you show up and move forward.

When you’re stripped of all conveniences, your senses come alive. I was amazed at how little I needed to feel content, and how present I became. In complexity, presence is power. In a hyper-connected world, leaders need intentional disconnection to reconnect- to purpose, to clarity and to themselves.

Away from the noise of the digital world, I could hear my own thoughts. In a world of constant connection, solitude is a superpower. Leaders who create space to listen—to themselves and others—lead with stronger intention and presence. “Solitude strengthens conviction”

Reaching 11,000 ft felt exhilarating. I felt quiet pride, why? Because I didn’t quit.

The real win was in showing up every day, despite fatigue or doubt.

The real summit isn’t external- it’s internal. That’s the essence of leadership: showing up with courage when it’s tough, uncertain, and unrewarded—until it is. “The victory is not over the mountain—but over the self”

I came back with a renewed sense of conviction. More importantly, I returned with a question for every leader I work with:

“When was the last time you did something that made you uneasy - and came back unshakable”

I work with leaders who are ready to challenge the familiar and unlock new ways of thinking, being, and leading.

Reach out to have a conversation with me- Priti Gupta (pritigupta.coach@gmail.com) to know how I can help you summit your next leadership peak

Leaders must go Off-Grid to Get Ahead