Inspired by Robert H. Schuller’s “Peak to Peak” Principle
Every business owner knows this moment.
One season, sales are strong, the team is aligned, and momentum feels effortless.
The next season, cash feels tight, decisions feel heavier, and confidence starts to wobble.
The problem isn’t that leadership is difficult.
The problem is believing that the valley means the journey is over.
Dr. Robert H. Schuller, author of Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do, offered a simple yet powerful lens for moments like these—the Peak to Peak Principle.
And it changes how leaders see success, struggle, and the space in between.
The Hidden Myth About Growth
Most leaders expect growth to look like a straight line.
Up and to the right.
More wins, fewer setbacks.
Clear progress all the time.
But leadership doesn’t work that way.
Real leadership moves in cycles:
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Momentum, then resistance
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Breakthroughs, then pressure
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Peaks, followed by valleys
When leaders hit a valley, they often ask the wrong question:
“What did I do wrong?”
Schuller reframed the moment entirely.
The Peak to Peak Principle
Schuller said:
“Never let a peak make you arrogant, nor a valley make you despair.”
In simple terms:
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Success is temporary
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Struggle is seasonal
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Progress is about movement, not position
The goal of leadership is not to live on the mountaintop.
The goal is to keep moving—from one peak to the next, without losing faith, humility, or direction in the valley.
The valley is not failure.
It’s the path to the next climb.What This Means for Business Owners and Leaders
1. Success Is a Platform, Not a Parking Lot
When things are going well, it’s easy to slow down.
But great leaders don’t build monuments to yesterday’s wins.
They use success as a platform to serve more, grow more, and lead better.
Celebrate—but keep moving.
2. Valleys Are Not Punishment—They’re Preparation
Every strong leader you admire was shaped in a difficult season.
Valleys clarify:
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What truly matters
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What needs to change
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What kind of leader you are becoming
What feels like delay is often development.
3. Vision Is the Compass Through Uncertainty
When circumstances feel unclear, vision keeps leaders grounded.
You don’t need to see the entire mountain.
You only need to know which direction you’re climbing.
Vision keeps you walking when quitting feels easier.
A Personal Reflection: Leading Through the Valley
I’ve seen this principle play out not just in books—but in real leadership.
When I stepped into regional leadership in BNI, there were clear peaks.
New chapters launched. Membership grew. Energy was high.
But there were also valleys.
Some chapters struggled. Leaders burned out. Economic uncertainty affected engagement. At times, it felt like progress had slowed—or even reversed.
I caught myself asking, “Is this a sign to step back… or a call to lead better?”
That question changed everything.
Instead of retreating, I chose to stay faithful in the valley—to coach leaders more intentionally, listen more carefully, and clarify the vision again and again.
We didn’t abandon the mission.
We refined it.
Over time, we didn’t just recover—we climbed higher.
The same was true in my coaching business.
There were seasons when growth felt natural—and seasons when every client conversation required courage and patience. But each valley sharpened my leadership and strengthened the frameworks I now use to help business owners grow.
Looking back, I can say this with confidence:
The valleys didn’t stop the journey.
They prepared me for the next peak.
Faith, Perspective, and Forward Movement
Schuller once said:
“When you’re on the mountaintop, you can see far; when you’re in the valley, you can see God.”
Valleys slow us down long enough to reconnect—to purpose, values, and faith.
They remind leaders that:
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Growth isn’t always visible
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Progress doesn’t always feel like winning
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Leadership is formed long before it is celebrated
The Clear Takeaway
Great leaders are not those who avoid valleys.
They are the ones who don’t quit while walking through them.
If you’re on a peak—stay humble and keep climbing.
If you’re in a valley—don’t panic and don’t stop.
Your current season is not your final destination.
The next peak is ahead.