About

The notable explorer, scientist, and bestselling author, Don Schmincke, has trained over 30,000 CEOs in over 100 industries. A NY press agency accused Don of being “the most provocative CEO advisor in industry.” What else would you expect from an MIT and Johns Hopkins researcher who was nearly arrested as a capitalist spy in the Soviet Bloc, was shot off an aircraft carrier, survived in the Kurdish capital as Tehran held hostages, became the first white person in an African Tsonga village, explored religious integration in Vietnamese mountain tribes, developed missile guidance systems while his frat brothers took Vegas (later portrayed in the movie “21”), and was seen in a North Korean DMZ mine-field with his kids (bad dad!)?

"I've never experienced such an effective consultant. This is the first time we've gotten these kinds of results from anyone . . . and I've seen a LOT of consultants!"

Robert W. DeVore, Senior Vice President, Harvard University

Don’s unconventional methods provide Boards a refreshing change to the status-quo by transcending typical approaches via refreshing alternatives to trendy theories, unproven methods, and phony "experts." The industry agrees:

•  Renowned books "The Code of the Executive" and “High Altitude Leadership” (with NBC Emmy-nominated climber Chris Warner)
•  Published in over 12 languages and recommended by top business schools.
•  Featured by CNN, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, MSNBC.com and many industry publications.
•  Host of Executive Insights TV series and The Leader’s Code radio program.
•  Awarded as Top 10 speaker by the world’s largest CEO membership organization.
•  Awarded Senior Member recognition by IEEE, the world's largest organization for the advancement of technology.

The high failure rates of pop-management theories drove Don’s research using anthropology, evolutionary genetics and biology to dispel the "program-of-the-month" syndrome frustrating Boards and CEOs for so long. Don’s science-driven leadership methods accelerate strategic performance in revenue growth, talent management, organization restructuring, employee engagement, and cultural alignment. He admits, “our work is politically incorrect but scientifically accurate.” 

Today, Don flies 200,000 miles annually speaking at conferences and working in over 100 industries including healthcare, manufacturing, non-profits, technology, finance, insurance, the Department of Defense (where he helped the U.S. Navy evolve its Fleet Readiness strategy), the White House Press Club, and the former Dean of the Army War College . . .  and occasionally he can be found at universities inflicting his unconventional techniques on innocent graduate students.