What it means to be on the sharp end

Climbing has more than its fair share of jargon, slang, and terminology that — to an outsider — basically sounds like gibberish. The expression “being on the sharp end” refers to the lead climber who must move above their protection — often times into unfamiliar terrain — and into a position of increased relative risk. Success in lead climbing requires both the physical ability to move through the terrain and also the mental fortitude to handle the exposure.

Durability in lead climbing requires constant attention to measuring and mitigating risks in real-time and, above all, a humility that may seem at odds to the perceived “boldness” of rock climbing in general. As the adage goes: “There are old climbers, and there are bold climbers, but there are very few old, bold climbers.”

There are many parallels between the seemingly disparate worlds of rock climbing and business, particularly in venture-backed companies. I’ve had countless conversations on the subject with fellow climber/skier/business owners as we shared a belay, ascended the skin track, or enjoyed après libations following a successful adventure.

These writings will (hopefully) capture some of those parallels and provide a unique perspective on risk management in business and in life.