3 Leadership Lessons From Felix Baumgartner Tweet

Felix Baumgartner broke the sound barrier today. Amazing. You’ve read or heard the stats and the many records he set jumping from the edge of space.

1. Challenge Yourself

Not in small ways, but big ways. Epic challenges don’t fit on a to-do list, but maybe better on a bucket list. This was a huge undertaking stacked with professionals and expensive gear, but the biggest challenge came when Felix had to overcome his fear. He wasn’t afraid of the height, but the suit. Felix Baumgartner struggled with claustrophobia.

Indeed, it is no small feat to free-fall over 24 miles. But tougher is sitting in a suit, which challenges your actual handle on reality, for a journey of two and a half hours to reach the edge of space. Felix taught us that having the vision, the fortitude, to focus on the result is not easy, but deeply rewarding. However, in order to do it, Felix spent a lot of time with some experts.

2. Have a Mentor

Lots of competitively-minded people sometimes fall for the myth that they have to do it on their own. That entrepreneurship is a lone wolf trade. Nonsense. Even Steve Jobs had advisors and mentors and people surrounding him, encouraging him, and even coaching him. I use Steve Jobs as an example because people often cite his genius and entrepreneurial streak to claim he did it all on his own.

Felix Baumgartner willingly went to the guy who held the previous record to mentor him in his prospective record-breaking jump. Learn from the person who has also done what you want to achieve. It took humility and wisdom to ask Joe Kittinger to help.  Kittinger talked to him through the ascent.

Furthermore, it took sports psychologist Michael Gervais’ expertise to help Felix overcome his claustrophia. At least enough to achieve the task.

3. Jump When The Time Is Right

Contrary to popular belief, mavericks and daredevils follow instruction. Joe Kittinger and an enormous Red Bull sponsored team helped guide Felix to success. In that little capsule, and suit, Felix had to accept instruction and follow it. He didn’t know when the time would be right, but he trusted his team to guide his steps. When they said jump, he jumped. Success takes a team.

Tags: Felix Baumgartner, Steve Jobs, Joseph Kittinger, Felix, Red Bull, Free fall, Kármán line, Joe Kittinger