Second Mountain Leadership

In his book The Second Mountain, David Brooks argues that most of us begin our lives guided by the ego. We enter our careers seeking accomplishments, status, and resource collection. This phase he calls the “first mountain.” Examples are easy to cite: doing well in school (or at least getting through it), attaining reliable and fulfilling work, and finding some type of social enjoyment through family, friends, and hobbies. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this first mountain, and some of us will stay on it for our whole lives. But that’s not always the case.

Some of us are thrust off the first mountain by a life event, usually something akin to a crisis or great loss—loss of health, a loved one, or a career. Divorce, the collapse of one’s industry, an existential crisis, the realization of one’s mortality…all are possible catalysts for falling off the first mountain. In the wake of such catastrophes, a person might dust themselves off and start climbing the first mountain again, attempting to reach the same level of fragile but comforting personal accomplishment they once had. Often, however, the collapse creates space for a major change in worldview. This is when we look to the second mountain.

Unlike the first mountain, the second asks us to center others. It measures achievement not by comparison, but by commitment. Those hiking the second mountain are not primarily concerned with getting anywhere themselves, but in helping others along the way.

Brooks’ book is not about leadership, but I think we can draw some valuable lessons from his framework. This is especially true if we keep in mind that the second mountain is not only accessible to those who’ve endured traumatic, earth-shattering changes, nor does it require wholesale abandonment of earthly desires (which is a pretty tall order). Many of the leadership traits we encourage at Emergent are emblematic of those climbing the second mountain. I know people who actively seek the second mountain out of love of service, the desire to grow, and the ability to embrace change. These “second mountain” seekers are some of the most powerful leaders to walk amongst us!

The second mountain represents selfless leadership, but not martyrism. It’s service, but self-abnegation. It’s unconditional love with boundaries. The second mountain is where the highest levels of leadership reside, and I would ask every leader to consider these few self-coaching questions and ideas to test your “second mountain” readiness.

Social-Responsibility over Self-Achievement

Can you put your personal achievements and ambitions second to the responsibility you have to your team, organization, community, and the globe?

Pro Tip: Practice “you first” exercises. Allow the car trying to get in the lane to go ahead of you. Notice the person in the check-out line behind you with fewer items than you and invite them to go ahead. Practice serving your family at mealtime. These simple, selfless actions help us remember that there is more to life than satisfying our personal desires.

Hyper-Nothing!

Hyper-individualism is the norm for most Americans. We learn that the only way to stand out is to be hyper-opinionated, hyper-connected, hyper-branded, and hyper-focused on Number One. Can you imagine living and leading through Hyper-Nothing? Can you live in moderation while helping and encouraging others? Can you be satisfied by service without recognition?

Pro Tip: If your reaction to this idea is “Yeah, that’s what losers and also-rans think,” you’re not ready for the second mountain.

The Valley

Perhaps you’ve been sustaining a manageable low for a while now. Things are okay, but you sense that something is missing. You’ve been pondering the complex and difficult questions that come with being a thinking, feeling human—what is my purpose? What does it mean to be moral?

You’re feeling some type of pull. It feels like being tugged up a hill, which is not altogether pleasant, but at least it’s different. Slowly, and perhaps imperceptibly at first, you are beginning your ascent. If you trust in the process and patiently attend to your intuition, you will eventually look back and see the valley beneath you.

These changes can happen at any time in your life. Resist the temptation to write it off as a mid-life crisis; it’s more akin to “shadow work,” or learning to know your unconscious self. The ego will start to shift and change as you devote more energy and focus to the deeper parts of living; the hangups that hold you back will eventually shed like old skin. Your truth will surface, and while nothing will be perfect, perfection will no longer matter.

I’m still seeking that day personally. My second mountain is ahead, but I am still too caught up in my ego, accomplishments, and protecting myself. I sense that I may have dipped into the valley multiple times but lacked the courage and direction to begin the ascent. Maybe you’re struggling in a similar way: not quite ready to climb, but sensing a change so fundamental and foreign you don’t even have words for it yet. I encourage you (and myself) to lean into this intuition, to live out these complex questions, and to keep thinking of others. We may not be at the second mountain yet, but when we get there, we’ll be ready.

If you’d like to discuss this or any other leadership topic, send me an email at [email protected].