The point of Integrity
The presentation entitled: The highest achievable goal; to the top with integrity, is about the two Dutch expeditions to Manaslu (8,163 m) in 2008 with Katja Staartjes as expedition leader. The goal for the spring expedition was originally to climb Shisha Pangma (8,013 m) in Tibet, but this proved impossible at the last minute, due to the borders being closed in connection with the Olympic Games. The team of five: Menno Boermans, Miriam Knepper, Niels van Veen, Henk Wesselius and Katja Staartjes, subsequently decided one week before their departure (!) on an expedition to the more difficult giant, Mount Manaslu in Nepal. This meant setting a new goal, making a new route, dealing with totally different logistic requirements to reach the mountain, and a new website. It was a decisive challenge for the team.
In spite of their excellent team spirit and cooperation, the team did not reach the peak: they got as far as 7,700 m. Read more under Spring Manaslu Expedition.
In the retry (in the autumn of the same year) Katja and her husband Henk Wesselius reached the subsidiary peak at 8,140 m – without the help of oxygen or climbing Sherpas – only 23 metres below the real peak. It was a magnificent performance, even if not 100% the intended result.
What happened next – on that forepeak and afterwards - taught them al lot about integrity and the need to face up to the reality of what level of success is possible. Read more under Autumn Manaslu Expedition.
Katja Staartjes captures the imagination of her audience with breathtaking photographs of the climb to the top, offering insights into the teamwork, integrity, and capacity to deal with setbacks that is needed:
- Cooperation & teamwork: trust, open communication, complementing each others’ skills, sharing the
hard work, and having consideration for each other;
- Integrity: status, exaggerating performance, reality and satisfaction;
- Dealing with setbacks: not or not quite reaching your goal, disappointment, getting perspective, new dreams, setting new goals.
Duration
The presentations given by Katja Staartjes usually last between 45 minutes and two hours. Longer sessions, incorporating more interaction with the participants, are also possible. Another option is to add additional meetings in which specific selected issues are the central focus, and Katja functions as the process leader in discussions. If desired, Katja can also offer tailor-made sessions together with other experienced management trainers with whom she works regularly.
Objectives
“My goal is to present an inspiring story that stimulates reflection and gets things moving. I want to have an impact on my audience. Frequently, my clients want to achieve something more than simply stimulating their employees, and there is a clear objective. For example, the presentation is embedded in a team meeting day, and is intended to stimulate deeper discussion about cooperation. In a case like this, I integrate questions that have been agreed with the client beforehand, so that an interactive discussion develops. It often works well to have people work in dyads or small groups. At the end of the discussion I tnen summarise the results, and continue with the presentation. I can work specific standpoints into the presentation, to make it easier to generate discussion. I look for quality in my life, and that includes my presentations. My ultimate aim is to have high customer satisfaction with every presentation.” Katja Staartjes.
What Katja Staartjes says about ...
Risk:
“You won’t reach the top without running into risks.”
“Many organizations avoid taking risks out of fear – but of what?”
“The art lies in taking calculated risks.”
Cooperation:
“The bottom line is cooperation: joint goals, and team members who are considerate to each other.”
“Don’t wait to have a party when you reach your final goal, remember to celebrate the milestones along the way.”
Inspiration:
“You have to put all you’ve got into a peak performance, but the key lies in being inspired.”
“Really wanting to achieve something is completely different from being contented for achievements to happen.”
Personal growth:
“It’s all about development and growth.”
“Development becomes possible when you’re open to innovation, and learn from every experience.”
For more information: see Portrait.
Practical matters
The impact of Katja’s presentations is highly dependent on the photographic material. It is therefore extremely important that they can be shown on a large projection screen; at least 3 metres wide. A screen of this format can be provided, if required. Rooms with a high ceiling are best, so that the screen can be high enough to allow everyone in the audience to see it clearly. The effect is also enhanced in rooms with good lighting, but direct sunlight is a major problem. It should be possible to darken the room to some extent.
Book Peak Performance
Katja Staartje’s second book was created as a result of her presentations. It is a practical reference book, with concise treatments of 60 different themes related to making dreams come true, meeting challenges, and delivering peak performances. Each theme is illustrated with a photograph, taken in the mountains where Katja continues to find her inspiration. The book, which is often ordered by clients as a gift for customers and business partners, costs € 19.95 (English translation, the original Dutch book Top-inspiratie costs € 17.50).
Interested?
Would you like to organize one of Katja’s inspiring presentations in your organization? Get in touch with Katja Staartjes Management Inspiration, by calling directly on: +31 570 550 343
or send an e-mail at: 
Back to Public Speaking
