1. keynote speaker stephen koch is a
pioneering snowboard mountaineer,
instructor and mountain guide
He makes calculated decisions under conditions of great
uncertainty in the face of extreme danger. As a thought leader and
keynote speaker, Koch analyzes the world of high-stakes decision-
making and failure.
Stephen’s ascents and descents include some of the world’s most
notable firsts, many of which have never been repeated. He is the
first person to snowboard all the major Teton Peaks and the first
and only person to snowboard on all Seven Summits.
You learn something about grit. You learn something about
teamwork. You learn how to handle failure. As a leader, you have to
be willing to make decisions faster and make bigger bets than ever.
That means that the lessons Stephen Koch learned in the
mountains are needed more than ever before. As a thought leader
and keynote speaker, Koch analyzes the world of high-stakes
decision-making and failure, sharing the gold that has resulted from
tragedy as he connects with audiences worldwide.
Leadership in Extreme Times
Creating a Team for Action
and Results
Decision Making When
It Counts
KEYNOTE SPEAKING TOPICS
STEPHEN KOCH

2. Stephen Koch began his career as a pioneering snowboard mountaineer,
professional athlete and mountain guide. With over 50 first ascents and
descents on the world’s highest most challenging mountains, he made
calculated decisions under conditions of great uncertainty in the face of
extreme danger. Koch generally chose well, but occasionally not. It is in
the “not” where the gold lies.
As a thought leader and keynote speaker, Koch analyzes the world of high-
stakes decision-making and failure, sharing the gold that has resulted from
tragedy as he connects with audiences. He inspires organizations and
teams through customized presentations with stories and lessons learned
from two decades of climbing and snowboarding unprecedented new
routes from around the world.
A sampling of Stephen’s insights gleaned from the mountains that have
powerful implications for the business world:
Conditions on a mountain can change so fast. That’s why I prefer a style of
climbing called single push. Move fast, travel light, and don’t let anything
slow you down. When you’re the leader of a team that’s attempting
something really challenging, you have a special responsibility. But that
doesn’t mean you have to do all the work and hold all the ropes yourself.
A leader has to lead. The opposite is called micromanaging and it’s death
to teamwork. You do, of course, have to have the passion. Everyone knows
that, right? That’s what gets you there, to the mountain, in the first place. But two very destructive forces can come with
passion – ego, and fear – from pushing too hard to win at any cost. So you have to learn to let go of the ego and the fear
and learn to see the mountain for what it is. You learn just to take the next step, the one in front of you, without all your
personal baggage.
In his keynotes, Stephen focuses on decision-making and creative problem solving in the midst of extreme uncertainty
— pretty much what executives are facing everyday. He offers the audience some compelling takeaways in how to think
effectively about their options when the pace is fast, the dangers extreme, and need to decide imminent. He weaves in
his own personal story of leading teams into danger in the mountains — and bringing them back safely — over twenty
years of adventure and exploration.
info@stephenkoch.com | (307) 699-0202 | po box 201 jackson, wy 83001
Inquire about Stephen's speaking, snowboarding instruction and coaching.
what do you learn from two decades of climbing up and snowboarding
down the world's highest, most challenging mountains? what do
you learn from trying – and failing – to summit mount everest and
snowboard down? what do you learn from surviving an avalanche
with broken legs and a broken back?