Martin Wood Complex, Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU
Dr Ilknur Colak, VentorA Grid
Abstract
This seminar is for undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as researchers and academics at the University of Oxford.
Whether standing in a whiteout storm near the summit of Mount Everest or steering a global engineering organization through disruptive market shifts, extreme environments test leadership in precisely the same way. When the margin for error shrinks to zero, survival and success do not come from brute force, rapid reactions, or endless hustle—they come from calm judgment, precise strategy, and unwavering clarity.
In this lecture, Dr Ilknur Colak draws powerful parallels between climbing the Seven Summits and leading high‑stakes corporate and technological transformations. Through firsthand accounts from the world’s highest peaks, she illustrates that true resilience is not about pushing relentlessly toward exhaustion, but about knowing when to pause, reset, and protect a team’s vital energy so execution can continue with clarity the next day.
Dr Colak challenges the myth of the solo hero, demonstrating why the strongest and most adaptable teams are built on psychological safety, deep trust, and cognitive diversity, especially in fast‑moving technical sectors where underrepresented voices often have to work harder to shape the room.
Ultimately, transformation does not begin with technology; it begins with conviction and scales through clarity. Attendees will leave with a fresh operational framework for high‑pressure leadership, recognizing that what many call “impossible” is usually a coordination problem, a belief problem, and above all, a leadership problem.
Agenda:
15:00 Introduction by Professor Alex Gerbershagen
15:05 Dr Ilknur Colak lecture
16:00 Q&A
16:30 Tea and coffee
This event is free to attend; however, registration is required. Link will follow.
The event will be recorded and shared in our YouTube channel at a later date.