An irresistible book that gives readers a glimpse into the sensibilities of one of the finest natural leaders I have ever known. Alison Levine's ON THE EDGE offers amazing insights....timely, practical lessons and authentic inspiration delivered with candor and spunk.
-- Brigadier General (Ret.) Tom Kolditz Professor Emeritus, U.S. Military Academy, Dept. of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership
Publisher's Weekly Starred Review
"In her assured, personable debut, Levine-team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition and a former associate at Goldman Sachs-takes lessons learned on the slopes of the world's tallest mountains and applies them to everyday business challenges for executives at all levels, as well as politicians, educators, and students. On the premise that "everyone is in a leadership position," Levine covers topics including extreme preparation, the importance of failure, succeeding in difficult conditions, networking, ego management, making the most of weakness, building trust and loyalty, and bringing your A-game to every challenge. Levine writes, "leadership in extreme environments requires the willpower, the teamwork, the high moral character, and the emotional intelligence necessary to overcome exceptional hurdles, solve complex problems, and face any sudden, uncontrollable, high-risk situation, including those that exist in today's business world." The book is best suited to readers looking for their advice framed in an adventure story; the lessons within are cast in broad strokes, appealing, perhaps, to business readers who prefer not to read the words "synergy" or "laser-focus" yet again. If they can get past the feeling of inferiority from reading the work of a business-savvy extreme climber who's also funny, readers will find much to learn here."
"On the Edge is terrific, containing a mountain of valuable leadership advice that will appeal to executives, politicians, educators and students, parents, and athletes and coaches. Levine's peak performances give a whole new meaning to the idea of a leadership summit." -- SUCCESS Magazine
"A unique approach to leadership development. While the advice in On the Edge might seem counterintuitive (like the practice of going without sleep or rewarding people who failed), Levine lays out her case using her signature humor style and real world examples from leaders in sports and the military, and she uses her own experiences as a mountaineer to support her unorthodox recommendations. On the Edge will make you re-think leadership."
--Shawn Achor, positive psychology researcher and NY Times bestselling author of Before Happiness