Topic:  Leadership – Ian Woodall’s personal story - “The Tao of Everest”

Please join the Greater Boston Chapter of the IIA for a free Networking breakfast on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 followed by a seminar titled "Leadership – Ian Woodall’s personal story - “The Tao of Everest.” The breakfast and CPE seminar are free to IIA members.

Overview of Ian’s story:

As the first rays of dawn crept across the Tibetan plateau Ian Woodall stepped onto the summit of Mount Everest and into history, one of a select few to have climbed the world’s highest mountain by both its south and north sides. During his first ascent from the south Ian’s team was trapped at 8,000 meters in the worst storm in Everest history which claimed the lives of five fellow climbers. After the trauma and tragedy of the storm, Ian and his team nevertheless chose to try again, finally reaching the summit as the only ones left on the mountain. Two years later while attempting the north side of Everest, Ian stopped only a few hundred metres below the summit to help a dying American climber. The woman’s first words were, “Don’t leave me.” Yet ultimately Ian had to leave her to secure the safety of his own team. Nine years later, in May 2007, Ian returned to 8,500 meters Everest to bury the woman he had been forced to leave behind. After wrapping her in the American flag he slid her gently down the North Face to join her husband lying somewhere below.

Now, using the power of emotional storytelling, Ian brings the triumphs and tragedies of climbing Mount Everest directly to his audience, showing how the insights gained on the mountain can enhance the following Personal Inspiration and Practical Leadership skills:

·      Concentrate on Can-Dos: Talking ownership of the problem - sometimes we may not be the best person for the job, but we may be the only person for the job.

·      Make Mandela Moments: Reaching out and recognizing the efforts of others.

·      Invest In Integrity: Personal integrity is the basis of all leadership - Integrity is what we do when no one else is watching.

About the Presenter:

Ian was born in England, but then spent twenty-two years in South Africa, before returning to the UK. Between 1996 and 2007 Ian conceived, planned and led five expeditions to Mount Everest, reaching the summit on two occasions.

Before embarking on his Everest expeditions, Ian worked as a school teacher, a catering manager, an internal auditor, as well as serving as an officer in the British Army. Ian lives in the Principality of Andorra, deep in the Pyrenees Mountains on the border between France and Spain.

When: Tuesday, September 14th, 2010, 8:15-9:00AM registration and networking breakfast; 9am to 10am seminar

Where: McGladrey (formerly Caturano and Company) - 80 City Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02129

Cost: Free for Members/$25.00 Non-Members.  Substitutions are welcomed.  Parking is NOT provided

CPE: 1 CPE hour upon completion of the seminar

The cut-off date for the registration is Friday,September 10th, 2010.  Substitutions are welcomed.  

For questions, please contact gbmembership@yahoo.com