Back in the day, I used to do tons of leadership training, high ropes courses, challenge courses, etc. for team-building yadda yadda.

One time my pre-assigned partner and I were challenged to climb the "high wall" on the ropes course (for time). They said "go!" and I shot up the wall, while she struggled to get even a few feet before I had to look back and coach her where to put her foot next, where the next fingerhold was, to use her leg strength more than arms, etc. Afterward, I got corrected for "leaving her behind."

Now, I agree that a good leader isn't the one who gets there first, but the one who gets everyone there together--first. And I understand that the lesson I was supposed to learn from that activity was was not to leave my partner behind.

But the real lesson I learned was: be very sure you've picked the right partner to begin with.

#pv