Here Al Carns, Veterans Minister and MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, sets out how he and three ex-military pals accomplished Mission Everest – London to the summit of the world’s highest peak and back in just seven days (when the previous record for this was 21 days).
There are lots of people asking as to how we managed to leave London, summit Everest and return within seven days.
Mission
First of all, set the mission. Clarity is key and everyone must agree. It’s the defining purpose and everything should drive towards its delivery.
Intent
Clearly articulate the intent. A short summary of how you are going to achieve the mission. It sets the parameters and allows people to understand how you will achieve the mission.
Tasks
Allocate and agree individual tasks to the team. Everyone must agree to their own tasks and that of others. It reduces duplication and removes room for error.
Timeline
Set a timeline for delivery. Realistic, clear and concise milestones (everyone must agree).
Delegate and empower
Trust, delegation and empowerment is critical to achieve speed and tempo. Allow the team to get on and deliver the requirements set in the timeline.
For example:
Define the mission
Clarity and simplicity are key. Climb Everest in seven days in order to raise awareness for veterans in a positive light and raise resource for charity.
Clarify the intent
We will find and pick the best team to achieve our mission. Once selected the team will pre-acclimatise using hypoxic tents and physical training to prepare our bodies for the climb. Equipment will be designed and sourced to deal with the environmental conditions. Simultaneously we will seek the best scientific support to reduce the chances of HACE or HAPE (high altitude sickness).
When the team are prepared we will deploy to Everest, climb the mountain and return in seven days. Meticulous planning, teamwork, cutting-edge science and equipment will be the defining principles of success.
Pick the team
Select those that have the attributes to achieve your goal.
Garth Miller – mil background, mountaineering experience. Links to the scientific community. Leader.
Staz – mil experience, can design the technical clothing required for the mission. Nutrition and training programme. Leader.
Kevin Godlington – mil experience, entrepreneur, deeply intelligent, meticulous planner, sponsorship and fundraising. Leader.
Al Carns – mil experience, meticulous planner, coordination and facilitation. Sponsorship and fundraising. Leader.
Prioritise
Set and agree the priorities then allocate individual tasks to avoid duplication and focus team members.
Define the timeline and milestones then delegate and empower the team to deliver against them. Don’t overly control.
Meet every week to update progress, problem-solve and focus.
Execute
Deploy on mission.
Succeed.
Return.
