Model of all things

“People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.” So said the mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary. In the pursuit of the extraordinary, the dean of private business school INSEAD Frank Brown has always believed a business leader and a mountaineer share certain traits. In order to succeed and reach their goals, both must be determined, focused, brave, sceptical and understand the importance of teamwork. “Hillary, the man who conquered Everest in 1953, was a leader and innovator who was inspired by the idea of adventure,” Brown continues. “He was a real model for our leaders of tomorrow. But it’s the fact that Hillary remained modest and responsible towards society and the environment that makes him inspirational to today’s business leaders. As the dean of a business school, it is my job to mould tomorrow’s leaders; leaders who not only want to develop viable businesses but who also genuinely want to contribute to a better society. For me, Edmund Hillary is a model of all these things.”