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Indelible Impact

stenders03

As I continue to reflect on an amazing summer vacation out west, I am reminded of our visit to Mt. Rushmore. Grabbing the ranger guide was well worth the discoveries we made on a national monument that continues to make an indelible impact not only on the South Dakota skyline, but in the hearts and minds of millions of visitors. We learned some interesting facts on the origins of this remarkable landmark.


A local leader, Doane Robinson came up with the idea of creating a large memorial carved into the side of a mountain showcasing regional heroes Chief Red Cloud, Lewis and Clark and more. The project had difficulty getting off the ground until Robinson was able to connect with Senator Peter Norbeck, who quickly caught the vision for this huge project. Norbeck believed in the visions so much so that he sought out one of the most prolific artists of the early 1920’s, Gutzon Borglum. Though honored, the sculptor insisted that his “life’s work would not be spent immortalizing REGIONAL heroes”, but demanded such a memorial be erected for the timeless NATIONAL heroes-- a much bigger project then Robinson ever intended.


Though there was difficulty in locating a proper site, Borglum inspected South Dakota’s Black Elk Peak, “the highest point between the Rockies and the Swiss Alps.” Though the site was ideal, there was still a bureaucratic waiting game, causing the project to stall, causing some to think it would die, until President Calvin Coolidge visited the area. Coolidge was persuaded by Borglum and Norbeck to help promote, fund, and dedicate such a memorial. Borglum, now 60 years old, got to work right away, dedicating the remaining 14 years of his life to this important work. The project put nearly 400 local workers to use. The impact that they made was explosive, literally, perfecting techniques learned from previous projects to remove 90 percent of the granite with dynamite to create what we now see today, the timeless national characters of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln.


Indelible can be defined as making marks that cannot be removed. Borglum and his crew made an indelible impact physically on the granite of that peak, but also nationally by creating this famous landmark. The impact that he and his team made can still be experienced today.


Now to draw out some insights, as it relates to the coaching I offer. I find it intriguing that Robinson’s idea for a monument seemed ridiculous. He needed someone else to come alongside to believe with him for this big idea to get off the ground. Seeking out Borglum made the idea come to life, but in a bigger and better way thought possible. The fact that Borglum only spend his life’s work on a project with maximum impact is also fascinating. Through their collaborative partnership, they were able to complete this national monument that continues to impact visitors and families, just like mine.


Often, in leadership, we need someone else in our corner, believing with us for the indelible impact we all want to make. We long to spend our life dedicated to significant work. We want the result of our work to to bring about effective and long-lasting change. Coaching gives leaders the space to lean forward to both dream and work. Coaching is powerful because it harnesses the unlimited potential that comes from collaboration--resulting in incredible outcomes that are far better than one can come up with on their own. Through a coaching partnership, leaders can clarify and maximize their opportunities to experience the power of indelible impact.


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