Not every leadership lesson happens in the boardroom. I recently crossed a major adventure off my bucket list: a week-long, 50-mile backpacking trek through Patagonia on "The W" trail. It was breathtaking! Every day contained more scenes of glaciers, rivers, and towering mountain peaks. But it was also grueling. There were moments when the long miles, the relentless weather, and the uneven terrain broke me down. After climbing over rocks all day, my feet felt like they had gone rounds with Mike Tyson. Out of sheer exhaustion and fatigue, I wanted to take the easy path, find a shortcut, or bypass parts of the trek entirely. But I didn't. Why? Because of my crew. I was hiking with three trusted friends who were determined to keep going. Their voices fueled my determination when my own tank was completely empty. Life and leadership are a lot like the trail. You will face false summits and exhausting climbs. Uncontrollable issues, like the weather, can impede progress and be demoralizing. The most important lesson I brought back from the mountain is one I already knew, but having it reinforced under pressure made it feel brand new: Surround yourself with people you want to be like. The people you spend the most time with will shape what you do when things get hard. Think about your inner circle. Are you being intentional about who you invite to influence your next step?