What Skiing Taught Me….
…about business coaching and life
Blue skies, pristine slopes, and the sound of my kids laughing as they search for little ski jumps and revel in the thrill of speed. It was one of those picture-perfect ski days - the kind that makes you pause and savour life.
As a Swiss native with a ski instructor for a mother, skiing has always been second nature to me. But over time, I’ve grown less enchanted with the impeccably groomed pistes. The crowds, the weaving around reckless skiers, the predictable rhythm of lift queues and downhill runs—it all started to feel monotonous.
Sound familiar? Work can feel like this sometimes too—repetitive, uninspiring, and lacking challenge. You might find yourself wondering: Is this all there is?
Modern skis make it easy to glide down slopes with minimal effort, but that ease can leave you yearning for something more. Just like at work, when everything feels too comfortable or routine, you may start craving a challenge—a spark to reignite your passion.
Rediscovering the Thrill: A Lesson from Off-Piste Skiing
As a surprise, my husband booked a few days of off-piste skiing with a trusted guide we’ve known for years. It was a game-changer. It reminded me why I fell in love with skiing in the first place: the thrill of the unknown, the challenge of pushing myself beyond familiar boundaries, and the sheer joy of exploration.
Off-piste skiing is nothing like cruising down groomed slopes. The terrain is unpredictable—you have to adapt constantly to changing snow conditions and maintain your balance on icy patches. Even in powder snow, you need to stay alert because an icy patch could be just one turn away.
It’s uncomfortable at first. But here’s the thing: discomfort is where growth happens. When you train your mind to embrace discomfort—much like endurance athlete David Goggins preaches—you unlock new levels of resilience and achievement.
The rewards of off-piste skiing are stunning views, untouched landscapes, and a profound sense of solitude. There’s no noise except for the crunch of your skis against the snow. You learn to trust both your guide and your instincts as you navigate unfamiliar terrain. Before long, you find yourself in a state of flow—where even the most challenging paths feel manageable and deeply fulfilling.
The Power of Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
Stepping out of your comfort zone is transformative - it makes you feel alive again. It pushes you past stagnation into growth. You develop new skills, tap into creativity, and build self-confidence by facing uncertainty head-on—even if setbacks occur along the way.
But here’s an important truth: having a trusted guide makes all the difference. A guide knows how to assess risks and steer you toward opportunities while giving you the space to enjoy the journey. With their expertise by your side, you can venture into uncharted territory that you’d never dare explore alone.
In fact, staying “on piste” can often be riskier than venturing off-piste with an expert guide. Crowded slopes increase the likelihood of accidents, while venturing into new terrain under expert guidance offers both safety and growth.
The Parallels Between Off-Piste Skiing and Business Coaching
The lessons from off-piste skiing mirror what it’s like to work with a business coach:
Clarity and Direction: Just as a ski guide helps chart a safe yet adventurous route through unpredictable terrain, a business coach helps you gain clarity on your goals and navigate challenges with confidence
Risk Management: While you ultimately decide which path to take in your business journey, a coach helps you assess risks and prepare strategically and tactically—just as off-piste skiing requires careful planning before taking on new challenges.
Growth Through Discomfort: A coach encourages you to step outside your comfort zone, where true growth happens—whether that means tackling difficult conversations, exploring new strategies, or embracing uncertainty in pursuit of bigger goals.
Embrace the Challenge
Whether on the slopes or in business, staying in your comfort zone may feel safe—but it limits your potential (and let’s face it: crowded slopes can be dangerous). True growth comes from leaning into discomfort, trusting yourself (and your guide), and embracing the journey with all its twists and turns.
So ask yourself: Are you ready to leave behind the predictable “pistes” of your work life? Are you ready to explore new terrain with a trusted guide by your side?