10 INNOVATION Lessons from Mount Everest

Urgency. Pick the right moment

In 1952 the British heard that in 1954 the French had been given permission to attempt Everest. They just had to be first in 1953.

The expedition could not fail again.

Initiative. Take action

Hillary read in a newspaper that the British were taking an expedition to the south side of Mount Everest. He wrote a letter to expedition leader

suggesting members of a New Zealand climbing expedition could make a contribution to the team.

Luck. Luck will be on your side

With so many possible setbacks you also need some luck. As New Zealander Hillary was lucky to be classified as a British subject and was therefore invited by the British.

Passion. Do what you dream

As a youngster, Hillary was a great dreamer. He read many adventure books and walked many miles with his head in the clouds.

Choices. Make clear choices

The British Himalayan Committee replaced the 1951 expedition leader Eric Shipton by Colonel John Hunt, a climber. After eight failed attempts on Everest they needed someone

to get them on the top in 1953, before the French had their chance.

Overcome Setbacks. Shit happens: continue

Along the way there are always major setbacks. After the reconnaissance expedition of 1951, when they found a new route up Everest, the British heard that the Swiss had

obtained permission for two attempts on Everest the following year. The only thing they could do was wait and see if the Swiss would succeed.

Test. Test-Test-Test-Test-Test…….

On the reconnaissance expedition of 1951 team members tested oxygen equipment and did research on high-altitude physiology. The results of both studies were important deciding on

the right approach for Everest in 1953.

Teamwork. Make sacrifices for each other

Hillary wrote: “John Hunt and D Namgyal’s lift to the depot on the South-East Ridge; George Low, Alf Gregory and Ang Nyima with their superb support at Camp IX; and the pioneer effort by Charles Evans and Tom Bourdillon to the South Summit. Their contribution had

enabled us to make such good progress”.

Competition. A little internal competition boosts results

Who would be the top teams? Expedition leader Hunt proposed that Evans and Bourdillon should use the closed circuit oxygen equipment to reach the South Summit and Norgay and

Hillary would push to the top with the open-circuit oxygen. Hillary describes the terms first – and second assault team as completely misleading.

Courage. Continue your quest

At 7.800 metres Hillary wrote in his diary “Even wearing all my down clothing I found the icy breath from outside penetrating through my bones. A terrible sense of fear and loneliness

dominated my thoughts. What is the sense of this all? I asked myself”

Inspired by famous explorers like Hillary and Tenzing, I developed an innovation map to jump -start innovation projects.

Re-capping

Urgency. Pick the right moment

Initiative. Take action

Luck. Luck will be on your side

Passion. Do what you dream

Choices. Make clear choices

Overcome Setbacks. Shit happens: continue

Test. Test-Test-Test-Test-Test……

Teamwork. Make sacrifices for each other

Competition. A little internal competition boosts results

Courage. Continue your quest

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