I once had the opportunity to participate in the Wharton School Leadership Venture program where I was selected to be an Environmental Fellow in Antarctica. The purpose of the trip was to teach future business leaders about the fundamental principles of leadership.  

The program was inspired by a professor who studied leadership and how wilderness guides share many of the qualities of successful business leaders. For example, understanding risk, helping others achieve their goals and having an adaptive learning style are all essential qualities that allow any type of leader to make quick decisions in less-than-ideal circumstances. 

After arriving to Antarctica, we were divided into teams of six. All teams were assigned an expedition guide and were equipped with a GPS device. Each day, the program required a different team member to serve as guide to the next designated campsite. From climbing mountains to crossing glaciers, there was only one commonality among each hike – it was tough!

When it was my turn to lead, the coordinates were directing us along a coastal area of the Antarctica Peninsula. One of the trekkers was falling behind and stopped briefly to rest on the soft sand. Seconds later, she was sinking. The hiker near her was met with the same fate. Before long, they were both up to their hips in quicksand. My initial reaction was to run over to their aid. After several failed rescue attempts, the group recognized the need to remove the trapped trekker’s backpacks to reduce the weight. Our expedition guide’s radio also died – cutting off all contact with the other teams. We were on our own.  

They continued to sink deeper with each minute. We finally discovered our rope was long enough to create a taut line above them. We secured it as tightly as possible for them to pull themselves straight up as we pulled them over the edge to safety. While we were the last team to arrive at the campsite, I have never been prouder. This experience created a strong team bond and friendship that has lasted years beyond the trip itself. We became known as ‘Team Mud’ but wore it as a badge of honor.

That night, we shared key lessons learned that day, lessons which I continue to implement in my professional career to this day. 

• Perseverance: never give up, keep trying until you succeed.
• Adapt: sometimes the first solution can create a worse problem, so adapt to the situation.  
• Trust: all ideas and opinions matter, so trust each other.

I will never forget the trip that taught me key lessons in climbing the mountain to success. I continue to see these lessons contribute seamlessly into the everyday accomplishments of our division. 

Great American's Environmental Division Celebrates 15 Years of Success

Greg Kelder is a Divisional Senior Vice President with Great American Environmental and serves as Head of Claims. He has more than 30 years of environmental claim experience. Greg brings specialized environmental claim support and training to our division and is based out of the Exton, Pennsylvania office.

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