September 28, 2009

High Altitude Leadership

Warner and Schmincke describe leadership as a lonely job, an emotionally and intellectually draining roller coaster, and role that requires constantly pushing past what has already been done in order to succeed at new challenges. Seeing the parallel between this description and mountain climbing, they call leaders who are able to succeed in this environment "high altitude leaders." Schmincke, a scientist and engineer, approaches leadership from a biological background, asserting that many of the modern management theories fail due to biological factors. Warner is a climbing expedition leader, learning his skills on the mountainside through experience. The leadership traits discussed in this book were discovered in the field through numerous climbing expeditions leading groups and teams, some of which succeeded and others of which fell apart. The lessons presented here offer tips for success, regardless of whether you lead in an office or in another environment.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

High Altitude Leadership: What the World's Most Forbidding Peaks Teach Us About Success
Chris Warner and Don Schmincke
HD 57.7 .W3585 2009