The Pecos Connection

The young men had been climbing the trail for just over an hour. Their constant banter and bravado faded as their endurance waned in the increasing altitude. The newly christened mountain men were exploring a new world, at least to them. Although the teenagers current address was a boy’s ranch for “challenged” young men, their natural habitats ranged from the ganglands of Houston to the Burroughs of New York.

I had been entrusted with the care of these students in the hopes of challenging their world-views. Our goal was to create socially responsible, morally upright individuals that would contribute to our culture and society, these young men had different goals. Despite their various backgrounds, they shared the common aspirations of many of their peers; disruption.

My wife and I received valuable training and support from the ranch. We worked to create a family type atmosphere that they had never experienced. We sought activities to engage their varied interest but something always seemed to work against us. Co-workers readily reminded us that these guys were master manipulators and experts in the field of mischief. They would run off, break things, flaunt rules and generally challenge any perceived threat to their world-view. We had good relationships with the guys but their war was against the system that we were a part of. Small victories usually faded as waves of new challenges would frustrate us until I had an epiphany of sort.

In John Maxwells’ 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, number ten is the Law of Connection. The keys to living this particular law would enable me to authentically engage these young men. The law explains that you must be able to connect with yourself and then find some commonality, a shared enthusiasm. I realized the Sangre de Cristo Mountains were only a few hours away and there was the Pecos Wilderness Area, a vast range adorned with the unspoiled beauty that captures a man’s heart. The earth reaches for the heavens and allows us to climb near searching for the finger prints of God. I wanted to share this with my guys.

By removing them from their everyday routines and peers, we could connect in the mountains. A camping trip to the mountains was similar to a mission to Mars, most of them had never been out of their cities or neighborhoods before being placed at the ranch.

As we drove towards the wilderness, they sparred back and forth with an edge of excitement and nerves. We had discussed the dangers of the wild and the necessary precautions to observe. Their conversation was amusing. Eventually, our van found itself climbing into the outskirts of the wilderness area in the dark of night.They began weaving tall tales, attempting to scare the others and mask their own trepidation. “What if we run into a serial killer?” they questioned. I answered “How do you know one’s not driving you there?” They hesitated before deciding to laugh.

We rose early the next morning and enjoyed breakfast before tightening our gear, just like we had rehearsed at the ranch. Our expedition began the ascent, eagerly exploring these foreign surroundings. Long steps grew shorter, their endurance was challenged. Watching their expressions, I wondered if they would see, feel this special place the way I did. I was skeptical, their diatribe continuing until we rounded a bend on the trail.

At an altitude of about 9,000 feet we walked into an unexpected meadow tucked away, high on the mountain. The lush green carpet of grass, accented by granite boulders, spread carefully across for the perfect effect divided by a murmuring brook that whispered to us all. One by one, the young men grew silent, separated and quietly sought solitude near the stream.

In this instant, I knew we had connected and now I could lead them to real change.

About the Author

Gary Sirkel is a Featured Writer for the John Maxwell Team Blog.

He leads Metis Performance Solutions and is a member of The John Maxwell Team.

He is a leader of transformation, turning managers into leaders, groups into teams and individuals into influencers.

Contact Gary at http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/garysirkel/