LEAD Master Class with Sir Chris Bonnington

Graeme Seavor and I attended a LEAD master class seminar held at the Learning Gateway in the University of Cumbria on Tuesday 30 November.

LEAD is a leadership development programme made up of several elements that run along side each other throughout a 10 month period, developed with the small business owner in mind. The master classes focus on business growth and leadership; coaching and action learning sets throughout; business shadowing; learning and reflection days.

Sir Chris Bonnington CBE focussed on two key themes: leadership and growth. Sir Chris has in the past worked closely with Steve Kempster at Lancaster University Management School; he is a mountaineer, writer and lecturer, and is now one of the country's leading motivational speakers for business.

Sir Chris, who with his team of many lead climbers, organisers and Sherpas successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1975. His experience of the sub zero temperatures; snow avalanches and 60mph freezing cold winds made him strong. "The wind is the appalling enemy. It is mind- destroying, physically- destroying, soul- destroying..." (Chris Bonnington, 1975).

Sir Chris’ message was one of motivation and inspiration. He said that his leadership, organisational, planning and man management skills were what brought his team home. It is these skills that can be applied to any business environment and which are crucial to the success and progression of any business in today’s economic climate.

Many businesses attended the seminar; H&H Bowe, Carlisle Window Systems, System IT and Training Works.

As an employee of David Allen, this master class has made me realise that we are doing things right. We believe in our own people and the people that we act for. We are passionate, dedicated and strive for excellence at all times. It is only our own limitations that prevent us from achieving our goals; if you set your goal and aim high, you can be successful! If you want something, you have to grab it with both hands no matter what difficulties are thrown at you in the process.

Sarah Reilly