| Gratitude in the Midst of Crisis
Amidst it all, we owe heartfelt thanks to the Kyrgyzstan Defence Forces, who flew the final working Mi-16 helicopter in the country to bring us down from Khan Tengri before the weather closed in.
Just hours later, the mountain was shut, and within days a massive operation rescued over 62 climbers from both base camps. Their courage and precision were without question life-saving, and the team were efficient, kind, and professional — a real credit to Kyrgyzstan, the ‘nation of smiles’.
You have never seen so much relief as when we were literally watching the snow and storm clouds massing, as the 10-minute warning rang out to be extracted. We all climbed aboard with more than a few prayers of thanks — and sighs of relief.
A heady reminder that in the mountains, you are always playing by Mother Nature’s rules; whatever humans may think, she firmly has control out there. :)
A Triple Celebration
Alongside the fantastic summit success of the Khan Tengri team members, we have a few home celebrations in the Empowering Success family too :)
✨ 25 Years of Service – As I watched the helicopter come down the valley to extract us, my father, Deacon Kenneth Bromage, marked 25 years serving the Highland Catholic Community across Tain, Dornoch, and Brora. If there was ever a moment to consider divine intervention — this was it. His steadfast devotion to community leadership is a reminder that resilience takes many forms — not just in extreme environments, but in decades of daily service.
✨ 25 Years Serving the UK – My own 25th anniversary since walking up the white steps and commissioning from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst occurred on the very day the Khan Tengri Norwegian team summited. It couldn’t have been more apt :) I initially joined the British Army in 1995, and commissioned into a full-time career on 12 Aug 2000. Queen Noor of Jordan took the parade on behalf of HRH Queen Elizabeth II. Soon after, deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan began from 2001 — and so started my career spanning the Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East. With over 2,000 days deployed on operations, it’s no wonder I find it hard to sit still — and why I now live to serve our international client base :) Old habits die hard :))
To look back across three decades of leadership training, growth, and service — while standing with a new generation of climbers at the summit of Khan Tengri — feels deeply symbolic. Leadership truly is a mantle passed from one generation to the next.
✨ Khan Tengri Summit – And of course, the triumph of our Explorers Club Flag Expedition team, who helped me scale heights I never thought I would reach.
Lessons in Leadership & Resilience
In all of these stories there are lessons for us as leaders:
• Endurance matters. Whether climbing, serving, or leading, sustained effort over time creates impact.
• Humility counts. We cannot control every outcome, but we can control how we respond — and never underestimate the impact of kindness. A smile carries far further than the sword.
• Teamwork matters. Teamwork, trust, and shared purpose can make a huge difference. “Leave no man behind” really can mean the difference between groundbreaking team achievements and loss of life. How you respond — and the ethics and values you embody in action — truly matter.
• Legacy lasts. The lives we touch and the leadership we show ripple far beyond the moment itself.
At Empowering Success, these are the foundations of our work. Through our coaching programmes, strategic workshops, and resilience retreats, we help leaders and their teams build the clarity, courage, and resilience to face whatever stands before them.
If this resonates with where you are — if you are standing at the foot of your own “mountain” and would love a professional, well-honed team to walk that path with you so you can achieve the heights you aspire to — reach out. Supporting others to thrive and go beyond their wildest dreams is what makes us tick 💫💫.
Let’s explore how high you’d like to go — or join us in our new Masterclass series and come and experience what we do 💫. |
