Reboot # 5

I am a self-professed armchair mountaineer, having spent most of my life reading books written by some of the world's great mountaineers: Walter Bonatti, Herman Bull, Kurt Diemberger, Reinhold Messner, Jerzy Kukuczka, Doug Scott, Ed Viesturs, and many others.

I remember back in September 1995, when I was doing my interviewing circuit to joining Egon Zehnder, I happened to be in the Munich office. And while waiting for my interview, stumbled upon a copy of Egon Zehnder's magazine, where inside was news about Reinhold Messner giving his speech at Egon Zehnder's Global meeting in Pontresina the summer before. I thought then that this was a good sign and karma that one of the world's mountaineers I admired is associated with the Firm I would eventually join.

I just finished reading "Beyond Possible" Nimsdai Purja's fascinating book describing his life story and setting up a new record of climbing all 14 8000 m mountains in six months and six days. Last January Nimsdai also teamed up with other Nepali climbers to represent his country to achieve the first K2 Winter ascent. His is a tale of realizing his dream with drive, determination, and the power of positive thinking, that there is no limit to what one can achieve. He is certainly now also on my list of the world's great mountaineers.

I find it coincidental that just as I found Reinhold Messner when I was going to join Egon Zehnder back in 1995, I am now finding Nimsdai Purja as I am embarking on my new journey building my own company Wardhana & Co.

Reading Nimsdai's inspiring story has certainly inspired me, and gave me the confidence that I also can realize Wardhana & Co's dream and aspiration to be the preeminent Executive Search firm in Indonesia. This is my Reboot #5.