What I Learned from the Survivor Challenge
Last week, my squad of 12 deVere teammates and I tackled the Survivor Challenge in Norway, all while raising funds for the Katie Piper Foundation. Picture us hauling gear, whipping up our own grub, sleeping under the stars, and braving a four‑day adventure that tested both body and spirit—all while rubbing shoulders with survivors of burns and people with visible differences.
What followed was a crash‑course in real‑world leadership. Below is my take‑away, boiled down into bite‑size nuggets for every boardroom warrior.
Leadership is Contribution, Not Control
Forget those corporate buzzwords about titles and visibility. On the trail, nobody cared about “job titles.” The ones who shook things up were the folks who paid attention to the group and stepped up without being asked. Whether it was adjusting the pace, swapping a spare, or sharing a trick, they were the real movers.
Good Teams Need Consistency, Not a Big Personality
The challenge proved that a crew works best when everyone’s responsibly owning what they’re supposed to do, and helping each other quietly. There was no room for show‑off; the top performers were those who stayed steady, not the loudest voices.
Resilience is Behavioural, Not Emotional
We all had to push past physical and mental fatigue. Some of us had bigger hurdles than others. The survivors we marched beside had already weathered far worse. Their silent focus and refusal to make excuses revealed that true resilience is about staying steady and delivering, even when the going gets tough.
Know When to Speak and When to Stay Quiet
On the trail, one clear rule: keep instructions short, calm, and useful. Shouting at everyone wasted time and energy. In business, disciplined communication beats endless chatter.
Self‑Management Is Underrated
If you can manage your own time, gear, and energy, you unlock the whole team’s potential. Those who stayed on top of their own beast needed no extra oversight—freeing others to do their jobs.
Respect is Earned Through Action, Not Opinion
It didn’t matter how senior someone was. The dependable people were the ones who stayed calm, tackled hard tasks, and did it without seeking applause. In corporate culture, confidence matters, but reliability is what truly earns respect.
Purpose Drives Performance
We weren’t just sweating it out; we were raising money for a foundation that helps people rebuild their lives. That shared mission aligned us all, giving us focus and attracting a natural energy that didn’t require a boss’s pep talk.
In short, the Survivor Challenge didn’t teach me brand‑new wisdom—it forced me to experience the lessons. It shot down excuses, highlighted strengths, and drove home that leadership isn’t about what you say—it’s about what you do, especially when the going’s rough. We’ll bring that grit back into every boardroom we enter from now on.
