By Brad Layland, Chief Executive Officer & Senior Consultant
Last summer, I led my family on an adventure to climb Mount Fuji. What I didn’t realize when we decided to take on this challenge was how complicated it would be to plan. Climbing Japan’s tallest mountain isn’t something you can do on a whim. It requires careful preparation, months of planning, and, in my case, navigating a foreign language.
First, we had to reserve spots at one of the mountain huts that provide a place to rest during the climb. These huts fill up months in advance and require deposits, so decisions had to be made early—should we stay closer to the summit or lower down for a more comfortable hike? Then there was the weather. Mount Fuji is unpredictable: one moment, it’s hot and sunny, and the next, freezing winds or snow can roll in. I had to figure out how to pack for every possibility while ensuring my teenagers were prepared for the grueling hike.
Even after months of preparation, the logistics were still overwhelming. From Tokyo, we had to figure out transportation to the fifth station, the trailhead for most climbs. Once there, we faced hours of hiking, balancing food and water, and keeping everyone motivated. By the time we started the climb, I felt like I’d already conquered a mountain before we even set foot on the trail.
Despite all this, the chaos and confusion faded into the beauty of the journey once we began. We took the Subashiri Trail, starting in a dense forest that gave way to the rocky, volcanic terrain of the upper slopes. By evening, we arrived at our mountain hut—exhausted but grateful for a warm meal and a few hours of rest. At 1 a.m., we woke up, bundled up for the freezing cold, and began the final push under a canopy of stars.
The trail was steep and grueling, but as the horizon began to glow, we found the energy to keep going. When we finally reached the summit just as the sun rose, the view was breathtaking. Standing together above the clouds, watching the light break over the horizon, I realized that every step—every challenge and moment of uncertainty—was worth it.
I was reminded of our hiking journey this week when I read Henri Nouwen’s words in his book, The Wounded Healer. He writes, “The first and most basic task of the Christian leader in the future will be to lead his people out of the land of confusion into the land of hope.”
Leadership often feels like climbing Mount Fuji. It’s messy, confusing, and full of challenges. But Nouwen’s insight reminds me that leadership doesn’t begin with a perfect plan or knowing all the answers—it begins with the commitment to lead people out of confusion into hope. It starts with stepping into uncharted territory, both outwardly and inwardly, trusting God to guide us.
If we’re willing to explore our own journeys with Jesus—to wrestle with our doubts, trust Him with our struggles, and let Him shape us in the process—we’ll find that we’re better equipped to lead others toward hope. That is what Nouwen says in the following line of the book: “Therefore, we must first have the courage to be an explorer of the new territory in ourselves and to articulate our discoveries as a service to the next generation.”
True leadership isn’t about having everything figured out; it’s about authenticity, vulnerability, and being willing to walk alongside others as they navigate their own journeys.
Whether you’re leading your family through life’s ups and downs, guiding a team toward a shared goal, or shepherding a ministry, one truth remains: You cannot take others to places you haven’t been yourself. Leadership starts with a willingness to embark on your own journey—to wrestle with the questions in your heart, to confront your fears and insecurities, and to trust that God will meet you there. It requires courage to look inward, to explore the uncharted territory of your soul, and to deepen your walk with Jesus in ways that might feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar.
When you dare to embark on this inward journey, something incredible happens. The places of growth and discovery in your life become a wellspring of hope and inspiration for those you lead. You’re no longer leading from a place of theory or detached authority; you’re leading from a place of authenticity and shared experience. And as you invite others to join you on their own journeys, you’ll find that the joy of the adventure is multiplied.
When you finally reach the summit of a challenge, you’ll look around and see that the view is all the more breathtaking because it’s shared with those you’ve walked alongside. So don’t be afraid to explore. Be bold in your pursuit of the new territory God is calling you to. Trust that the same God who walks with you will use your journey to lead others into hope, healing, and purpose. And in that, you’ll find the joy of leadership is not just in the destination but in the journey itself.
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