Peak of Achievement

A programme illustrating Bonington's management style:

Visionary Leadership
Empowerment
Synergy in Teamwork
Planning and Organisation
Determination and Perseverance

Reaching the highest point on earth requires teamwork of the highest level. Chris Bonington describes his own personal success in at last reaching the summit of Everest in 1985 at the age of 50, as a member of the Norwegian Everest Expedition. The expedition placed eighteen climbers and Sherpas on the summit in three separate ascents, a record for a single expedition. This was possible because of superb planning and organisation, but most of all, because of the quality of teamwork amongst expedition members.
The leader was Arne Naess, a millionaire ship owner, and Bonington acted as his chief of staff looking after the logistics and advising on strategy. He studies Næss's approach to leadership and explores the dynamics of decision making within the team.

Bonington was stretched to the limit in his own bid for the summit and describes how he was helped by the men around him. He also shares his thoughts as he approached the summit. He takes the audience step by step up Everest in such a vivid way that they share in the exhilaration of the climb. Yet he constantly draws parallels between the effort on the mountain and their realities in the business and management world.