On the Edge: Leadership Lessons from the First American Women's Everest Expedition
Imagine yourself on the highest mountain in the world. You’re dealing with the physiological effects of extreme altitude--along with bone-chilling temperatures, battering winds, and a team that's counting on all of its members to make smart decisions when the weather and route conditions are constantly shifting and changing. There's simply no room for poor judgment -- one mistake or misstep can result in an unrecoverable, catastrophic error.
In any situation where there's a lot on the line or the stakes are exceptionally high--there's no better training ground for leaders than settings where people are pushed beyond their perceived limits. Drawing on her experience as team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, Alison Levine shares the "unconventional" lessons learned from the mountain and explains how these can help you thrive in today's ultra-competitive business environments.
From Setbacks to Superpowers
With humor and humility, Alison recounts her history-making expedition to the South Pole where she skied more than 600 miles across the icy wilderness of Antarctica. Dragging 150 lbs of gear behind her in a sled harnessed to her waist, she was on a quest to become the first American to complete this particularly grueling route across a frozen continent.
Her trip was fraught with unexpected challenges, yet what she struggled with most wasn’t extreme temperatures or dangerous terrain; it was the realization that she was not able to keep pace with her taller, stronger teammates while hauling a sled that far outweighed her. The physical challenge seemed insurmountable—until a creative solution turned her perceived limitation into her greatest strength, and as a result, they were able to reach their destination as a stronger team than they were when the journey began.
Obviously, South Pole is a lot different from your typical office environment—even with your air-conditioning on full blast—but it’s similar in that today’s workplace can be incredibly intense when pressure is on and stakes are high, and teamwork is crucial for survival and success.
In this presentation, Alison explains how tapping into your unique capabilities, even when they seem like weaknesses, can bring out the best in your team and unlock your potential to achieve more than you ever thought possible.
Women Moving Mountains™
Climbing the world’s highest peaks is impressive, but Alison Levine’s most life-changing expedition wasn’t on Everest. It was on Mount Stanley in Africa's Rwenzori Mountains, where one small question transformed the lives of thousands of women. In this heart-stirring presentation, Alison takes you to the conflict-ridden border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she helped break down deeply ingrained cultural barriers that had prevented women from earning a sustainable wage for decades due to longstanding cultural beliefs.
Alison reveals how asking one pivotal question can lead to monumental change, leveling the playing field for women and creating new opportunities for entire communities. Her inspiring story demonstrates how every one of us has the power—and responsibility—to ignite change. All it takes is courage to take that first step and ask the right question.
October 31, 2022