The Sleeping Giant rises over 1,000 feet from sea level. Looking west from Kapaa on the Island of Kauai this majestic mountain looms over the community as an iconic symbol of the island’s storied past.

The trail up is demanding. Over the course of 2 miles hikers switch back and forth up the mountainside until they weave their way from the feet of the giant, across his chest and up to his neck. The views afforded on the journey up are fabulous. The picnic site located at the giant’s neck provides a satisfying end point for the majority of travelers. However, the truly adventurous make the “off trail” climb up to his chin.

The chin of the giant is where the money shot is. This rocky precipice affords the courageous climber a 360 degree view of the east coast of Kauai: both the Mauka (mountainside) and the Makai (ocean side). It is truly adrenalizing. Surrounded by life-ending cliffs on 3 sides the final scramble up the chin certainly tests your courage.

Anyone who climbs to the top of the chin of the Sleeping Giant has to get a picture to prove their conquest, and to capture the incredible grandeur of this spectacular corner of the globe.

It was on the approach to the Giant’s chin that our encounter happened…

In 1985 young and spry Dave and Anne MacLean climbed the Sleeping Giant on their honeymoon. Thirty years later we were back with our sons to relive the experience. The chin was a little crowded this day.

We were third in line to get up on the chin for our photo shoot. There was a group of young people who had monopolized the chin for a lengthy period of time when we arrived. The group of 3 plus a dog ahead of us had been waiting patiently for their turn, but had not said anything to the young people. They were just waiting there.

I came up behind them and asked if they were waiting to climb up to the chin. They indicated they were, but the young people had been there quite a long time.

“Hey, could you please make some room for these people who want to get up there for a photo.” I called up to the young people.

“No problem”, they replied and began to climb down for the group in front of us.

I asked the group of 3 if they wanted me to take a photo of them. They said they would appreciate that. I pointed out where they could stand to get the best scenic shot behind them with the sun still on their faces. I also told them I would put them in the left side of the frame so the photo would display the spectacularly expansive ocean view.

After I handed them back their camera so they could see the photo and give me a thumbs up or thumbs down, one to them said something I have never heard before:

“I love how assertive you are man!”

What he said really got me thinking. He was thanking me for being assertive.  He was thanking me for my ‘leadership’ because I had helped them get what they wanted.

I realized that this was a very simple example of an important leadership principle:  leaders need to be assertive.  Leaders help facilitate people moving forward.  Leaders advocate on behalf of those they lead.

We are not meant to be timid. We are meant to be bold and assertive in life and leadership. To be assertive is to be confident, assured, decisive, and bold.  Timidity is diametrically opposed to who we are meant to be as leaders.

The very essence of leadership requires leaders to be assertive.  This does not mean we are controlling and demanding.  It also does not mean we have all the answers.  It simply means we step up, step out and step in for the purpose of moving people forward.

Leadership is meant to move people up the mountain: to help people move forward into new realms they may find intimidating.  Assertive leadership helps people overcome their own fears to accomplish more than they thought possible – and that moves organizations forward.