EARL DE BLONVILLE ON LEADERSHIP

Earl de Blonville captivates audiences with inspirational stories and moving moments drawn from a remarkable life of high adventure, community service and mentoring young people. One of Australia’s leading thinkers on leadership, he is described by Professor the Hon Barry Jones AO: ‘A great, but unsung Australian hero, courageous, strong, confident, and with outstanding leadership qualifications’. With a lateral sense of humour and intelligent understanding of how things work, Earl offers an unforgettable experience to his audiences. Expect to be profoundly engaged by his global grasp of the interlocking facets behind the big issues and their impact on our everyday lives and futures.

 

He focuses on Leadership in Times of Crisis. With fallout from the global financial crisis adding to the massive implications of climate change - already beginning to change forever the way we live on earth - the need is greater than ever for a new kind of courageous leader to emerge, fully prepared for times of crisis. With 25 years of expedition leadership to remote areas and 10 years of corporate leadership development, Earl brings unparalleled authenticity and insight to the leadership issues that will increasingly affect our future. He has a unique ability to inspire audiences to look beyond imagined limitations and explore future-changing possibilities. His presence, empathy and genuine rapport with audiences guarantee a successful event.

Brief History: Arctic explorer and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, London. Earl’s childhood of exceptional freedom – including solo sea kayaking at age 11 - encouraged a professional life without limitations, and gave him the resilience, confidence and courage that underpin his exceptional ability to respond quickly and decisively in rapidly changing environments.

 

A highly experienced sailor, and trained as an advanced-level professional mountaineering instructor, Earl has participated in 15 expeditions, many as leader. These include Tasmania’s first sea kayak circumnavigation, first northerly crossing of Bass Strait, first Australian ascents in Austria, Italy and Greece and major whitewater descents in France and the Himalayas. Earl mounted and led Australia’s first Arctic expedition with The Prince of Wales as patron. The one-hour television documentary was released internationally, first screened on Discovery Channel. Earl is currently planning three new Arctic expeditions

 

In 1988 he was Director of the Tall Ships spectacular where the Prime Minister officially opened Australia’s Bicentenary. Earl has worked with two of the world’s most respected business development consultancies and is a highly regarded C-level leadership coach. His long-awaited Arctic expedition book ‘Seventh Journey’, described as ‘a masterpiece of exploration’, is one of the most important published modern stories on leadership. Today, Earl heads Bear Clan with his partner Susie, with operating divisions in publishing, filmmaking, executive adventures and corporate development programs, all focused on leadership and courageous living. For further information go to www.bearclan.biz. Listen to Earl’s podcast interview with Phillip Adams on ABC Radio National’s Late Night Live website - after October 16 2009.