Beyond the Summit: Setting and Surpassing Extraordinary Business Goals

by Todd Skinner

World-class rock climber Todd Skinner is also one of today's most sought-after motivational speakers for business audiences. Whenever he describes his history-making sixty-day free climb of the 20,500-foot Trango Tower in the Karakoram Himalayas (shown on the jacket), people are in awe of his stamina, skill, ambition, and determination. They are also eager to apply his lessons in their professional and personal lives. 

Skinner argues that everyone has a mountain to climb, whether it's meeting your annual sales target or launching a new product or getting your department to improve its teamwork. And he stresses that you should set your goals even higher than you normally would, and constantly look beyond the current summit to the next one. For instance, instead of aiming for 10 percent revenue growth, go after a seemingly impossible 50 percent target, and then think of new ways to get there. 

In both rock climbing and business, you must define your exact mission, assemble the right team, make the critical transition from preparation to action, have courage when crossing difficult terrain, and weather the storms well. Skinner offers fresh insights into all of these topics and explains principles such as:  Beyond the Summit  presents fresh and inspiring advice on leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills, combined with an epic adventure tale.

Genres: Business, Climbing, Nonfiction, Biography, Adventure

208 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 2003

Reviews

[Rob Jarvis]

Can't believe Jeff did his first trad leads 18K + feet off the deck. Fun story

[Adam (BookSlayers12) Willson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!! Highly entertaining and very very insightful!!

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skinner compares motivation, success and leadership to mountain climbing. The book is a short and easy read, but for me it was unforgettable.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to listen to Todd Skinner speak to our company nearly 14 years ago. His blending of the elements that led to the first free ascent of the East Side of the Trango Tower with an eclectic group; relating the principles of rock climbing and skill advancement, were expressed eloquently to whatever path you choose in life.

I have been thinking of those principles often lately. Thus, reading the book brought back his presentation very clearly.

The book combined with his presentation gives an inspirational teaching experience.

Sadly, Todd Skinner passed away in a climbing accident several years ago. He is greatly missed in the climbing community and the people he inspired with over 300 first ascents around the world. A great achiever; an amazing read.

[Ryan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Todd's story. There were a few times where I was on the edge of my seat, imagining some of the difficult things they went through. His ability to compare his challenges with business challenges was actually done well. I made sure to take plenty of notes and plan to skim through it regularly to remember that our accomplishments give us confidence to do more. I'm anxious to read more of what he suggests, simply because the stories are so compelling.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book at a conference where Todd Skinner was a guest speaker in 2003. I found the book as interesting as hearing Mr. Skinner's personal accounts and motivational speech. I was so sorry to learn of his death, just a few year's later. His book remains with us, providing insight into his rare legacy.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond The Summit is a riveting read by a Wyoming mountain climber, Todd Skinner. Todd Skinner uses mountain climbing strategies/goals as a metaphor for business strategies/goals. I am not a mountain climber and found this book incredibly interesting.