Where polar exploration inspires business transformation
What can business leaders learn from the people who survive and lead in the most hostile environments on Earth?
The Polar Business School podcast explores that question by bringing together the world’s greatest living polar explorers, adventurers and extreme-environment athletes.
Kick starting their mission, entrepreneur and adventurer, Michael Mitten, alongside Master Polar Guide, Douglas Stoup, are interviewing these incredible human beings to learn how their experiences can shape business strategy and improve leadership.
In each conversation, our hosts uncover fascinating, powerful, lessons forged on the ice; lessons about leadership, resilience, decision making and survival under pressure, translating them for founders, entrepreneurs and leaders navigating the unpredictable terrain of modern business.
Meet our host
Michael Mitten
Michael founded The Polar Business School after discovering and applying the powerful connections he learnt between polar exploration and business leadership during his own polar expeditions.
Michael is the former owner and CEO of Houghton International, a UK based engineering service and manufacturing business that operated in more than 40 countries. Under his leadership the business experienced sustained growth, cultural reinvention and operational transformation.
Using unique lessons learnt during his expeditions to the North and South Poles, Michael positioned his business as a European market leader to successfully exit in 2024, having led the company as CEO for 19 years.
Our mission
To bring together the world’s greatest living explorers, polar guides and extreme-environment athletes to share with a global audience what they have learned from operating at the very edge of human capability.
We will strive to make extreme environment adventure accessible to all, no matter physical or financial limitations.
Our Polar Leadership Philosophy
There is always a way.
Join the Journey
Whether you are a leader, entrepreneur, explorer or adventurer, the Polar Business School invites you to learn from those who have spent their lives operating at the very edge of human capability.
Because some of the most powerful lessons in leadership are not taught in classrooms.
They are learned on the ice.
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