Earlier today, I found myself hiking up Colonial Knob—a steep, winding hill just outside of Wellington. It was raining, I was damp, and as I climbed step after step (somewhere between 700 and 800 of them), a thought hit me hard: business is a lot like this hill.
If you’re in business, in a leadership role, or frankly just living life with intention, you’ve faced adversity. Maybe you’re in it now. And here’s the reality—adversity isn’t new. It’s not even that special. It’s just part of the terrain. The question isn’t whether you’ll face it, but how you’ll respond when you do.
Let me walk you through the parallels I saw on that wet, steep climb and what they mean for you as a business owner.
Do Your Due Diligence
Before I started the hike, I packed: two apples, two water bottles, and a rainproof layer. In hindsight, I over-prepared – it wasn’t the Southern Alps. But preparation matters. I hadn’t walked this trail before, and I wasn’t going to wing it.
In business, the same rule applies. Whether you’re entering a new market, launching a product, or simply stepping into a new financial year – do your homework. Know your terrain. Study your competitors. Understand your cash flow, customer trends, and operational risks.
Due diligence might not feel exciting, but it’s the difference between a good idea and a successful execution.
Build Resilience
The track was steep. My legs were burning. It wasn’t easy. But I kept going.
In business, there will be seasons like this – economic headwinds, team challenges, cash constraints, or even personal burnout. Resilience is what gets you through it. It’s not about ignoring the pain; it’s about continuing to take the next step anyway.
And here’s the thing: resilience isn’t just a mindset – it’s also about what systems, routines, and habits you build around you. That’s where consistency comes from.
Have a Clear Plan (and Know Your Metrics)
You can’t climb a hill without knowing where the summit is. Likewise, you can’t grow your business without a plan.
That plan doesn’t need to be perfect, but it must be clear. How are you launching your next campaign? How are you increasing profit? Where do you want to be in 3, 6, 12, or 36 months?
This is where metrics come in. You must know the numbers that matter – whether that’s revenue, gross margin, productivity, or customer lifetime value. If you don’t track progress, how do you know you’re even moving?
On my hike, I missed the 800-step marker, but I still knew roughly where I was. In business, you can’t afford to “roughly know.” You need scoreboards, dashboards, and clear accountability.
Expect Change (and Have a Plan B)
No strategy survives first contact. The rain came in harder than expected. I’d timed it wrong. That happens in business too.
Markets shift. Competitors react. Team members leave. Technology evolves.
You must be agile. Having a good plan is one thing, but knowing how to adjust on the fly is what makes you a true leader. Have contingencies. Build some buffer. Expect to be surprised – and don’t panic when it happens.
Put Strong Systems in Place
Here’s the thing: a solid plan is useless without solid systems.
I’m not just talking about tech. I’m talking about business systems – repeatable processes that guide what happens every Monday morning, how you review your numbers, how you onboard staff, how you handle complaints, how you follow up on leads.
Business isn’t won by heroic individual effort. It’s won by simple systems executed consistently.
And if your systems are only in your head, they’re not systems – they’re secrets. Write them down. Share them. Train your team to use them. Make them visible and executable.
Surround Yourself with the Right People
Great systems need great people to run them.
I see it all the time – businesses with wonderful SOPs sitting in a dusty folder, never followed. Or businesses with energetic people running in ten different directions, no clear framework to align them.
You need both: structure and spirit.
Train your team. Share your vision. Take them with you. If you’re climbing a hill, they should know the destination – and why it matters. Is it a $20 million valuation? More time with family? Freedom to travel or give back? Get clear, get aligned, and lead from the front.
Reconnect to Your Why
I didn’t climb Colonial Knob just for exercise. I climbed it because I needed space to think, to reflect, to reconnect with the purpose behind what I do.
You need the same.
Why did you start this business? What problem are you trying to solve? What future are you building – for your customers, your family, your team?
Reconnect with your purpose regularly. It will renew your energy when times are tough. It will inspire others to follow your lead. And it will keep you from getting lost when the trail gets foggy.
Take Action – Even When It’s Raining
Today, it rained. I still climbed.
Right now, the economy might be challenging. Customers might be spending less. Hiring might be hard. But train in the rain.
Show up anyway. Lead anyway. Take action anyway.
Because business rewards those who keep stepping, even when the weather’s bad.
When you lead with courage, your team follows. When you keep moving, your business does too.
Final Thought
As I came down the mountain this morning, a fellow hiker smiled at me and said, “How bad can life be? It’s Good Friday.”
She was right.
There’s a lot to be grateful for. Even in adversity. Even in business. Even in rain.
And if you want help navigating your hill—whether it’s growth, leadership, team, or profit—reach out. Book a time in my diary using the link below.
Let’s make your climb smoother, more focused, and ultimately more rewarding.
Chris Whelan
Business & Leadership Coach
Helping SME owners grow profits, streamline systems, and lead with purpose.
