Yvonne Camus had tested the limits of her physical and emotional capabilities and wanted to quit.
As the female member of Canada’s four-person team in the Eco-Challenge, the world championship of adventure racing conceived by Mark Burnett of Survivor fame, Camus endured extraordinary physical hardships beyond what her training prepared her for. With a broken wrist, sore feet, exhaustion, huge bugs and danger – quitting during the first stage of the 500-kilometre race through Borneo’s jungle seemed reasonable.
But the former Heinz executive endured and hers was the first rookie team to complete the grueling competition, even outlasting the US Navy SEALS team.
Out of her experiences in the jungle came a series of lessons she gave to first-year HBA students.
Among her leadership lessons:
- Most successful people have the ability to examine themselves when they’re brilliant.
- The single biggest commitment you will ever make is the process of hard work.
- Surround yourself with incredible people.
- You need raving fans.
- Plan to be excellent
- Endeavour to live the life you imagine and success will come in uncommon places.
The presentation was done through the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership.