Oct 22 From Iceland’s Highlands to Leadership Insights: 6 Lessons Worth Sharing
My husband and I recently traveled to Iceland through the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce’s EMBARK Travel Experience. What an adventure! From the breathtaking Highlands and the Northern Lights to unpredictable weather and a few unexpected surprises, we came home with wonderful memories.
As often happens when I travel, I found myself making connections to the work I do with executives and leadership teams.
Here are six leadership lessons Iceland reminded me of.
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Less Is More
One of the first things I noticed about Iceland was its simplicity. In the Highlands, there were no skyscrapers, crowded streets, or busy highways. Only magnificent mountains, open landscapes, and endless skies.
Yet the impact was extraordinary.
Leadership Connection: I often see executives feeling pressured to do more, attend more meetings, and oversee more decisions. Yet sometimes their greatest influence comes from doing less, more intentionally.
The best leaders simplify complexity, focus on what matters most, and empower others to achieve results.
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Don’t Forget What’s Behind You!
As we traveled into the Highlands in our souped-up Sprinter van, the pin securing our luggage trailer broke, sending three suitcases flying into the muddy landscape.
We had no idea until another driver caught up to tell us. Of course, we turned around to retrieve them. They were muddy and wet, and we joked that Hartmann should make a commercial showing just how tough its luggage really is!
Talk about unexpected baggage!
Leadership Connection: Sometimes leaders become so focused on moving forward that they don’t notice when people disconnect or priorities are left behind.
Sometimes it takes an outsider to point out what you can’t see.
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You Can’t Control Everything
We were fortunate to see the Northern Lights three nights in a row! One evening, our wonderful guide burst into dinner wearing his bathrobe, announcing, “The Lights are here!”
Now that’s dedication!
At times, the lights were hard to see with the naked eye. But when we took photographs, WOW! Suddenly, beautiful colors and swirling lights appeared against a star-filled sky.
Leadership Connection: Our guide couldn’t control when the Northern Lights appeared, but he ensured we didn’t miss them.
Great leaders can’t force trust, innovation, or high performance. They can create the conditions that make extraordinary results possible.
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Expect the Unexpected
Iceland’s weather could change in a heartbeat. One minute it was cold, and the next, rain was coming sideways, with winds that nearly knocked us off our feet!
Trying to see waterfalls and walk on the glacier while icy precipitation pelts our faces was quite an experience.
Leadership Connection: Business conditions can change just as quickly. Markets shift, priorities change, and unexpected challenges arise.
Strong leaders remain flexible, make adjustments, and keep their teams on the right track.
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A Different Perspective Changes Everything
During our Highlands adventure, we rode four-wheelers up into the mountains. The higher we climbed, the more extraordinary the view grew.
From the base camp, we could see only a small part of the landscape.
Leadership Connection: I often see executives so immersed in daily operations that they lose sight of the broader picture.
Sometimes you need to step back, look at things from a different perspective, and consider what lies ahead.
Trust me, the view from the top looks very different from what it looks like from the ground!
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Make Time to Reflect
After several adventurous days, our trip ended at the Blue Lagoon. What a wonderful contrast! The geothermal waters and peaceful surroundings gave us time to relax and reflect on all we’d experienced.
Leadership Connection: Leaders need time to think, not just to execute. Yet reflection is often the first to go when calendars become crowded.
Taking time to pause helps us evaluate decisions, gain perspective, and focus on what truly matters.
Bringing It Home
Iceland reminded me that leadership lessons can come from the most unexpected places, even muddy suitcases and a tour guide in a bathrobe!
Great leadership isn’t about doing more or having all the answers. It’s about creating clarity, building trust, adapting to change, and knowing when to step back.
Sometimes you have to step away from the everyday landscape to see your leadership landscape more clearly.
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Sarah Hathorn, CEO of Hathorn Consulting Group, is the go-to-expert in working with leaders and companies to create successful corporate DNA. As an executive coach, consultant and speaker she collaborates globally with clients and brands such as Deloitte, McKesson, Kimberly-Clark, Sherwin-Williams, Home Depot and other leading organizations.
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