At Wharton's 10th annual leadership conference on June 13, the theme of "Leading with Resilience: Coming Back from Challenge and Adversity" brought together speakers who had faced hardships in a number of different areas. Perhaps none of the speakers, however, had experienced as much physical danger as David Breashears, filmmaker and mountaineer, who recounted how he and his team survived one of the deadliest accidents in the history of Mt. Everest.
"So where does a mountaineer and filmmaker fit into this conference?" Breashears asked. "Resilience, excellence, determination, conviction, resolve" -- words that are often used to describe a successful team anywhere, whether on Wall Street or on a cliff. "The mountain has been my workplace," said Breashears, adding that his high-altitude pursuits have taught him a few things about planning and leadership. Another speaker at the conference -- organized by Wharton's Center for Human Resources and The Center for Leadership and Change Management -- was Sylvia M. Montero, who recounted her own journey from a farm in Puerto Rico to a position as senior vice present, human resources, at Pfizer.
The Best-laid Plans
Climbing the world's highest mountain under normal circumstances requires months, sometimes years, of preparation. In May 1996, Breashears and his team faced a special challenge: making an IMAX film about their journey. Carrying and maintaining hundreds of pounds of filming equipment meant that planning was even more meticulous than usual. "We went to that mountain with a great plan, an elegant plan," said Breashears. For one, it was flexible. "A good plan makes you nimble, not stuck. Ours gave us options ... wiggle room."
By rehearsing extensive "what if" scenarios long before they got to the mountain, the team was ready for the unexpected. So when a freak storm hit the day they were to approach the summit, Breashears' team turned back while other teams kept climbing.
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