I recently watched a snippet of a Simon Sinek talk in which he described the relationship between trust and performance, defining performance as knowledge and skills and trust as "the kind of person you are".

Character is central to leadership but under-researched. Organisations and scholars are more focused on style and competences. In an expedition character is exposed - this story of the first woman to climb Mont Blanc illustrates the unexpected risk that lies at the heart of the expedition.

I once stood on the peak of mountain with a famous climber who told me there was an important difference between being persistent and being stubborn. 

There’s something about going on an expedition that seems to worry people.  

I am certainly among them. In recent years before setting off, I've been troubled by thoughts of the terrain – have I trained enough? Will I be left behind breathless, abandoned and embarrassed? 

Being awoken by a frail sunrise in a cold wooden cabin 150 km north of the Arctic Circle without running water or electricity presents a number of immediate challenges. For a start the "dry pit" loo is outside, a slippery walk along a narrow icy path with snow knee-deep on either side. I’m wondering if I can chance a quick dash without getting fully – and I do mean fully – dressed.

Explorers have been embarking on voyages of discovery for thousands of years. Driven by need, curiosity or a new technology, exploration has been mooted as a uniquely human trait. Yet the psychological burden of an expedition into the unknown, cramped living quarters and the monotony of routine duties en route each take their toll on morale.

The theme of the 2019 World Economic Forum - the International Organisation for Public-Private Cooperation - in Davos this week is "Globalisation 4.0: Shaping a New Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution." The Forum’s mission is to engage "the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas." There are 3000 delegates with countries representing emerging markets making up 21% of delegates.

In my current research into the Explorer’s Mindset I’ve read many biographies, autobiographies and accounts of extraordinary people – including the legends of polar exploration. One thing I’ve decided is the historical motif of the singular and heroic explorer needs debunking. 

Last night I went to see the much anticipated and highly acclaimed film, First Man, the biopic of Neil Armstrong. I had several reasons for going – apart from Ryan Gosling in the title role – for me, astronauts are the modern counterparts of Magellan and Marco Polo and space exploration is an exciting context to think about what drives humankind to explore

The story of a "social adventure", an opportunity to get out of the relative comfort of a business environment into a much more unfamiliar one - in this case - secondary education in Colombia.

Awake from 3am, the Colombian jungle blackout like a blanket. I could hear the river, perhaps the rain on the iron roof and a few muffled snores, sighs and curses from the hammocks swaying gently on either side. Our wake up call was 4.30am because we were leaving for the La Ciudad Perdida at 5 …

A few weeks ago I did something extraordinary I had never, ever, contemplated before. I climbed a mountain. Not an especially tall nor difficult one but still a challenge.  Mount Fansipan is the highest peak in IndoChina. Friends and family were surprised - anyone who knows me will confirm I am decisively, pro-actively urban. I relax in Westfield- and that’s a shopping centre, not a park.