Leadership Lessons: Tenzing Norgay's Shared Glory

Leadership Lesson from Mountain Climbing: Tenzing Norgay's Shared Glory

Recently, I came across this nugget, and upon reflection, I believe it's an excellent lesson for those of us who manage people. When Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary became the first to summit Mount Everest, reporters asked who reached the top first. Tenzing refused to answer, saying they climbed as a team. This wasn't modesty—it was strategic leadership that maintained partnership integrity for future expeditions.

Leadership Takeaway for Executives:

• Shared Success Builds Loyalty -- Taking credit divides teams; sharing it multiplies motivation.

• Think Beyond the Current Project -- Today's collaboration shapes tomorrow's possibilities.

• Unity Over Ego -- The strongest leaders prioritize team cohesion over personal recognition.

Great leaders understand that how you handle victory determines whether people want to climb the next mountain with you.