Leading Into Unknown Environments

A week tomorrow I will be leading a trek in the Sahara desert, a place that I have never been to before. So why am I leading this trek then?

It is amazing the number of people who say that I can not be qualified to lead a trip if I have not been to that destination before.  Maybe this is why there are so many people who never start their own business because they feel they are not qualified to do so.  If this was the case, nothing would ever be started as we would not have experienced it.  The key to all of this is to call upon those that have had that done it already, to ask for advice and support, to delegate and to trust in ones abilities.

I am not leading the expedition solely on my own, there will be numerous people working alongside me to ensure that everything runs safely and smoothly. This includes in-country agents, local guides, having risk assessments and crisis management strategies in place, 24 hr back up, satellite phones and a couple of medics on hand.  I am also calling on my own life skills and past experiences.  Not really on my own am I?

Is it the fear of the unknown or the lack of self confidence that prevents us from striving out on our own and doing something different?

Break the mould.