A CEO's Guide to Altitude: What Denali Taught Me About Scale

Corey Flores here, back from the land of the midnight sun, with an experience that has forever changed my perspective. My family and I embarked on a journey to the heart of the Alaska Range, taking a glacier landing tour with K2 Aviation.

Our destination wasn't just any glacier; it was one nestled in the shadow of Denali, North America's tallest peak.

Flying from Talkeetna, we soared over a landscape of jagged peaks and vast, flowing ice. The pilot, a true expert of this rugged environment, was our guide, not just pointing out landmarks, but painting a picture of the forces that shaped this land. She navigated us into the Ruth Glacier, a river of ice flowing from the mountain's immense mass. She told us about the Don Sheldon Amphitheater, a natural bowl surrounded by towering granite walls, and how the Sheldon family has been sharing this place with others for decades. It was here, in this vast, silent amphitheater, that we had our landing.

The moment the skis of the plane crunched to a stop on the glacier's surface was pure magic. Stepping out onto the ice, I was immediately struck by the sheer scale of everything. The peaks that looked small from the air now towered over us, and the "nearby" crevasses were enormous, deep canyons in the ice. This feeling of being dwarfed by Denali's grandeur was a powerful lesson.

From Perspective to Profit: Denali's Business Lessons

This experience taught me that in business, we often get so caught up in the details of our daily tasks that we lose sight of the bigger picture. Denali, in all its immense glory, forced me to zoom out and see the landscape of my own work.

• Re-evaluate Your Position: Are you so focused on a single task that you've lost sight of your ultimate goal? Denali taught me the importance of taking a metaphorical step back to see how every small effort contributes to the grand design.

• Embrace the Awe Factor: The most memorable part of our trip wasn't just the view from the plane, but the experience of standing on the glacier itself. How can you create a similar "awe factor" for your clients? What can you offer that goes beyond a standard service and becomes a truly unforgettable experience?

• Connect with the "Why": Why do you do what you do? For the pilot, flying was a passion; for the Sheldon family, it was a legacy of sharing Denali's beauty. Reconnecting with your core purpose can re-energize your work and remind you that you're building something much bigger than just a business.

Standing on that glacier, I realized that the journey to success, much like the journey to the heart of Denali, is a series of calculated steps, a willingness to be humbled by the forces around you, and a commitment to appreciating the immense scale of your own purpose.

Sincerely,

Corey Flores

Flores Marketing Firm