A favorite saying from one of my outdoors partners is, “The trip is not worth it unless it is an adventure.”  Facing death and living to tell is much more exciting than avoiding risks at all costs. I’ve had my share of adventures and I have to agree, they are much more fun to talk about.

Some would say that everyone should experience an adventure of two. They would continue to say that adventures build character by forcing one out of their comfort zone, a place all aspiring leaders need to go to excel as leaders. When experiencing adventures with others, camaraderie and commitment to those sharing the experience are bonded forever. From my own experience, adventures breed passion and remind us that we’re alive.

This sense of adventure has a lesson for leading teams. In the business world, an agency without character, one that has no camaraderie and commitment to one another, and one that appears to be void of passion and a sense of being alive, is not much of an agency at all.

The lesson is clear in my mind. As a leader it is your job to build character, to enhance trust and commitment to the vision and mission of the team, and instill passion and fervor to the cause. Therefore, make their experience and adventure.