The Inupiat Eskimo tradition of the blanket toss, or nalukataq, is an image that strongly resonates with me. While brainstorming names and logos for Vantage Consulting, the nalukataq was an image that came to mind. If you aren’t familiar with it, the contemporary blanket toss is most often related to as feat of skill and a part of Inupiat celebrations. However, originally, it was a tool for hunting and providing for the community.

Hunters or whalers would gather around a blanket sewn of skins. One would climb onto the blanket. The group would quickly snap the blanket tight, flinging the spotter up into the air. While airborne, the spotter could scout over sea ice and terrain for whales or caribou.

The image featured alongside this article was captured by Alaskan Bill Hess.

I love this image. It is a group of hunters all stopping to help one gain an improved perspective. This improved perspective is, in turn, used for the benefit of everyone else. The leadership and team applications just leap out at me. (Pun intended!)

Nalukataq Consulting. Nalukataq Group. I’m sure I’ve got a pad of yellow, legal paper with variations of this name doodled all over it. Eventually, I realized that the unfamiliarity of the name would probably create more confusion then clarity. As I searched around for English words or images that were similar I eventually settled on ‘Vantage.’ It is similar, although not precisely the same. However, it has a powerful triple meaning. A vantage is:

• A uniquely helpful and valuable perspective or angle from which to see a situation.
• A position or condition that allows someone to secure an advantage or opportunity.
• A utilized advantage or opportunity.

Those are really my goals as a consultant. To bring a unique and new perspective to my clients, to work with them to identify powerful and perhaps unrecognized opportunities available to them and to support and challenge them to fully leverage their strengths. Vantage Consulting.

The image of the mountain top emerged from this. Digging deeper into this image, I’m also motivated by my own experiences in the mountains where summiting a peak is often both an individual and team success. However, it isn’t just about accomplishing the summit. As every climber knows, that in both the ascent and the summit, the experience is often one of wrestling both internally and externally. Facing inner voices telling you to quit and external challenges daring you to move forward. Relying on others and supporting others.

So, Vantage Consulting it is.

But I still would like to try a blanket toss….

In the meantime, click here to contact me and we’ll work together to guide your team to new perspective, advantage or opportunity.