To the top of the world – T-3 days

From our intranet today …

“Juniper’s very own global adventurer, Mitch Lewis, Vice President, Strategic Alliances (Ericsson), has been to the mountain top. And from that unique perspective, the challenges of climbing the world’s highest peaks are not so very different from those Juniper must overcome to complete its Mission 10 journey.

Lewis will soon be sharing insights from even greater heights. He recently set off for Nepal to climb Mt. Everest – with the goal of planting Juniper and Junos flags on the summit – in May. Lewis will stay in communication throughout his journey via mobile, satellite and internet connectivity.

The Everest expedition is the next (very steep) step in Lewis’ ongoing attempt to become one of the first persons to run a marathon and climb the highest mountain on all seven continents. Lewis has already run all seven marathons (plus another 13), and after Everest he will just have Antarctica’s Mt. Vinson left to complete his quest.

“I originally started running marathons as a way to get in shape and because I loved the challenge it presented in both physical and mental toughness,” Lewis said. “Near the completion of the marathons objective, I heard about the seven summits and knew there was literally something even bigger out there to achieve.”

In preparing for each new expedition, Lewis focuses on mastering the aspects within his control. This approach, he said, can also be applied to managing for success in the office.

“The most important thing you can do as a company, employee or athlete is to be as prepared as possible with the right strategy, plans, leaders and resources,” Lewis said. “This approach ties directly to our Juniper Way values by having bold aspirations and striving for excellence in everything we do.
“Good is not good enough. It’s no different in the business environment where sometimes external factors like market conditions can change and you have to take swift actions – all the while staying the course. On the mountain, our team needs to be well trained, have the right gear, but also know that factors outside of our control such as the weather will force us to develop and execute quickly on a new plan.”

Even with the right values in action, it still takes a team to achieve success, Lewis said.

“During a climb, you are connected by ropes to the other climbers in your group. If one person goes too fast, or someone else lags behind, the rope can pull or pile up at your feet and create a dangerous situation for everyone. Your life is in the hands of your rope-mates. In my opinion, we have the same concepts in play at Juniper. Mission 10 is about collaboration and being interdependent. We make sure we are all moving at the right pace and speed on the course that our leaders have set, and that all of our teams are moving in lockstep with the same strategy in mind. And we ensure and trust that our fellow coworkers – or climbers – are as equally prepared and share the same passion for achieving our common goals.”

Throughout his journey, Lewis has received strong support from Juniper colleagues and leaders.
“I feel very fortunate and privileged to work for one of the best companies on the planet and the most amazing colleagues one could hope for,” Lewis said.  “I’ve been so inspired by the stories I’ve heard from my co-workers on their own adventures, and personal and community-related goals.”

Lewis’ Everest adventure is also looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people of Nepal. Lewis is climbing on behalf of the Mt. Everest Foundation, a non-profit organization helping the citizens, and specifically the children of Nepal, to be more self-sufficient and self-sustaining by building schools and delivering technology, medicine, clothes, books and other needed items.

“It’s so important we give back to the communities in which we live and work through whatever causes, activities or organizations touch our hearts,” Lewis said. “Changing the world doesn’t happen all at once, it happens person to person, community to community – a network of networks.  Do what you believe in and believe in what you do and we can absolutely change the world.””