Leadership (and Personal) Lessons Learned from Walking the La Compostelle in France

I started writing this article upon returning from our four-day hike on La Compostelle in France. A month later, I can’t find it. Is this another lesson learned from the journey?

The La Compostelle has become popular the last 20 years for people from all over the world. It’s an ancient trail, followed by thousands of walkers each year since the tenth century. (You can read a little bit about the history of the Chemin de Saint-Jacques here.) Some people do go for religious reasons, other for the challenge, a great hike, or to get in touch with something in their lives. It is a personal journey in which everyone provides support, encouragement, and camaraderie. In France there are four routes to the final stop at Santiago de Compostelle in western Spain.

As lovers of nature, we chose to go for the challenge, the beauty, and to get away and engage in whatever came up for us on this journey.

Our first step started at the Cathedral Notre Dame du Puy at 7:00 am for the Pilgrims Mass. Hundreds of hikers filled the Cathedral with backpacks and walking sticks propped up against the stone walls. Not being catholic, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was surprised to see him ask people to introduce themselves and meet their fellow pilgrims and to be all blessed together for a great and safe journey. Immediately, a bonding occurred as people lined up to purchase their “Passport” (the stops along the way, stamped it to show you traveled the route).

This was soon short lived as we climbed from the church to the top of the town to set out on the Camino. It felt like forever and I was already questioning my choice and ability. With a smile, I stared at the bus sign and dreamed of the bus taking me to the top. I could hear my daughter’s voice saying, “You can do it, push through.” Somehow, knowing there was a bus, I felt I had options and wouldn’t be stranded if I truly could not push through. Our standing joke, from there on was that I could look at the schedule, but not get on the bus.

Very quickly as we set out on the first 14 km (8.6 miles) day, I learned Lesson #1: Everyone is on their own journey and goes at their own pace. In researching the hike, we discovered most people walked 20-25 Km a day, day after day up and down the mountains. Our intuition told us this might be more than we wanted to do as we were also going to enjoy the nature, get in touch with life, and do a bit of aquarelle painting. We set our pace at 14 /15and 7Km days with rests at friendly chambre d'hotes with full pensione. We were not competing to get their first or fastest. It was for us to enjoy and at our own pace. Even my husband found himself walking ahead of me a great deal of time, communing with nature as he walked at his own pace.

Throughout the day we would stop and rest, have water and a snack, enjoy the views and talk to other hikers. Later, they may pass us and so it went. I was learning that I could go at my own pace and it wasn’t a race. When we saw two French women take out their special carafe of café (besides water) and chat over a snack, we knew they had the right idea. It was about the journey and enjoying it, not the finish line. By the last day, we decided to get up early and leave by 6:30 to beat the heat of the day. I found myself totally relaxed hiking up for 2 Km alone at the break of dawn. There was something about going ahead of the crowd. A few hours later, one group of hikers we had dinner with, inquired into our early morning departure as they had heard from the owner of the lodge that the Americans left at 6:30 after being fueled with his café crème.

Lesson #2: When stressed or tired, stop and take 5 Seconds of Calm

Climbing the mountains were not easy, especially as I have had asthma my entire life. I wasn’t wheezing, but was short of breath often. As a result, I gave myself permission, borrowing from CNN, to give myself 5 seconds of calm when I was stressed. I’d stop and stand still, breathe in and out 5 breathes and slow my heart rate. Five seconds later I continued. I did this time and time again as I climbed the toughest trails and smiled each time I stopped. Again, this small allowance was a gift to be on my own journey and not compete with anyone else. One step at a time I was climbing the hill.

Lesson #3: Be more Empathetic and less Judgmental (of others and myself)

Unexpectedly, I kept hearing myself say “Let go of judging yourself and others. Have some empathy.” As the birds sang, the cuckoo bird yelped, the winds rustled through the trees and I put one foot in front of the other, this idea of judgment was taking hold. I was learning on this pilgrimage that judgment made me unhappy and truly did not help anyone. I don’t usually think that I am judgmental, but as I dug deeper, I realized there were times that I was critical and said something that didn’t need to be said.  I was triggered by something someone said or my own inner voice. Hiking through the meadows, I realized I needed to focus on being more empathetic and be aware of what was going on with people before speaking.  The birds, the land, the wind, the farmers, fellow hikers along the way, and the hosts at the hotels were all empathetic to our journeys providing us with the best care possible.

Over the next days and weeks, I practiced stopping and breathing my 5 seconds of calm before responding with any judgment and with more empathy.

Lesson #4: The Kindest people are walking the La Compostelle

The open and loving attitude of each person we met was extraordinary. From the 81 year old Canadian woman hiking alone to a group of friends from northern France, to two brothers from Luxembourg, to a mom and son who were camping along the way. Each person was kind, supportive, and empathetic to your personal journey. What I learned, that it doesn’t take much, but a smile, a nod, a bottle of water, a wave as you pass on the trail. Kindness is free, easy, and wonderful to give and receive.

Would I do it again, absolutely, but maybe a different route. I hear there is a flat route in Portugal along the coast!

My lessons here are as much as personal as they are about leaders in organizations.

#1: You and Everyone around you are on their Own Journey

Remember, what we can do best, is support others on their journey, provide them with encouragement, motivation in the form of stretch tasks, feedback, and coaching.

Lesson #2: When stressed or tired, stop and take 5 Seconds of Calm

When you become annoyed, frustrated, tired, angry, lonely, hungry or stressed, consider taking 5 seconds of calm and breathe in and out. Allow yourself the sense of quiet, peacefulness and coming back to the present. Walk outside in nature and close your eyes, breathe deeply and get restored in 5 seconds.

Lesson #3: Be Empathetic and less Judgmental

Be aware of being triggered by someone or wanting to “let them know what you thin or how you feel” under the guise of being judgmental. Take 5 seconds and consider what is happening to the other person, what will be most helpful in the moment (staying silent, asking a question, or making a critique)?  We all have choices on how to respond. Be mindful of this and consider all your options.

Lesson #4: The Kindest people are walking the La Compostelle

We all have the ability to be kind to others, but often forget in our busy day. Give someone a big smile, a thank you, a nod, a hug (if appropriate), a bottle of water or something to eat. Let them know you are there and you care. Being kind is also a fight for yourself, it releases dopamine in the brain. This feel-good neurotransmitter gives you a natural high, making you feel happier and more positive.

Last, take a walk for 10 minutes, an hour, a day, or a few days or more. It is awe-inspiring!