ten innovation lessons from mount everest

10INNOVATION

Lessons from Mount Everest

1. UrgencyPick 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 un 1953. The expedition could not fail

again.

2. InitiativeTake 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.

3. LuckLuck 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.

4. PassionDo 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.

5. ChoicesMake 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.

6. Overcome SetbacksShit 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.

7. TestTest-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.

8. TeamworkMake 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”.

9. CompetitionA 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.

10. CourageContinue 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.

Download the innovation map

forth-innovation.com

Gijs van WulfenFounder FORTH innovation method

The Netherlandsgijs@forth-innovation.com

+31651483575