UN Peacekeeper Urs Koenig Shares Leadership Secrets Through Radical Humility

Check Urs Koenig's Speaking Availability: premierespeakers.com/speakers/urs-koenig

In this episode of the Beyond Speaking podcast, Urs Koenig shares his journey from growing up in Switzerland to becoming a leadership expert, ultra-endurance athlete, UN peacekeeper, and professor. He delves into his philosophy of “radical humility,” which emphasizes deep self-awareness, relational leadership, and creating psychologically safe cultures. Urs shares insights from his experience in the military and ultra-endurance sports, showing how humility and resilience lead to success in leadership and life. The discussion also touches on tough love in leadership, learning from failure, and Urs’ purpose-driven mission to give back through his speaking business and work with Junior Achievement.

Introduction to Radical Humility – 00:00
Tough on Results, Tender on People – 00:30
Leadership through Relationship Building – 01:02
Urs Koenig’s Background: Peacekeeper and Athlete – 01:34
Choosing Seattle and Missing Switzerland – 02:05
The Start of an Endurance Career – 03:07
Pulmonary Edema and Near-Fatal Experience – 03:47
Urs’ Everesting Challenge – 04:48
Influence of Father’s Work in Somalia – 05:40
The Decision to Rejoin the Military at 50 – 06:55
Lessons on Radical Humility in Leadership – 08:10
Carla Overbeck: Leadership Example from Sports – 09:48
Creating a Psychologically Safe Culture – 11:05
The First and Hardest Lessons for Urs – 12:25
Switching from Individual to Team Leadership – 14:02
Applying Lessons from His Father’s Unconventional Path – 15:55
Parenting and Leadership: Seeking Feedback from Kids – 17:35
What Is Successful Failure? – 19:40
What’s Next for Urs Koenig? – 20:55