The following book review holds some true leadership gems. These helpful pointers are a summary of 'Leading at the Edge: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition' written by Dennis Perkins and published by Amacom.

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Phil Wall
CEO

Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition

What can today’s leaders learn from yesterday’s disasters – from shipwrecks to failed polar expeditions? Plenty, according to leadership consultant, Dennis N. T. Perkins. Events that push the limits of human endurance show us what succeeds under extreme adversity. These lessons can make for exceptional leadership in today’s competitive environment.

Co-written with MICA Organizational Psychologists’ own Catherine McCarthy, Perkins’ recently released book “Leading at the Edge” focuses on Earnest Shackleton’s 1914 attempt to traverse Antarctica. In 1913, a similar attempt to cross the Arctic failed, when all members tragically perished. Yet, despite setback after setback in one of the world’s harshest environments, every member of Shackleton’s Endurance crew survived. Why? Through the unsurpassed vigor, creativity, and insight of Shackleton’s leadership Perkins has distilled this leadership into Ten Strategies for Leading at the Edge.

1. Vision & Victories. Never lose sight of the ultimate goal, but focus energies on short-term objectives.
When Shackleton’s original mission had to be abandoned, his goal was to return his men alive. Day to day, he kept his troops moving forward with a series of short-term victories, giving them encouragement while distracting them from the ultimate, unanswerable question of survival.

2. Personal Example. Set a personal example with vivid symbols and gestures.
Shackleton excelled at walking the talk – and memorably so. Once, to drive home the importance of leaving behind every ounce of excess baggage, he took some gold sovereigns from his pocket and cast them into the snow.

3. Balanced Optimism. Instill optimism and self confidence, but stay grounded in reality.
Subzero conditions, dwindling supplies and energy; every day posed nearly impossible odds. Yet, Shackleton believed they would and could find a way to surmount each obstacle – leading his team to believe it, too.

4. Personal Stamina. Take care of yourself: maintain your stamina and let go of guilt.
You need all your energy and endurance to lead at The Edge. Sometimes you must also make split-second decisions that prove to be wrong. Guilt has no place here. Move on.

5. The Team. Reinforce the message constantly: "We are one; we live or die together."
The ill-fated Arctic expedition soon disinte-grated into deception and self-interest, with sad result. From the start, Shackleton insisted on the importance of teamwork, with everyone looking out for each other. This became the group culture.

6. Core Team Values. Minimize differences, and insist on courtesy and mutual respect.
Far from expecting special treatment, Shackleton performed tasks cheerfully along with his men, leaving little cause for grumbling.

7. Master Conflict. Deal with anger in small doses, engage dissidents, and avoid needless power struggles.
Shackleton remained alert to potential conflicts, and worked quickly to defuse them. He dealt with one potential naysayer by taking him as his tent-mate. He also encouraged his men to be direct with each other and keep tensions at bay by regularly letting off steam.

8. Lighten Up. Find something to celebrate, and something to laugh about.
Even when storms raged outside, the men of the Endurance didn’t forget how to have fun together. It kept up their spirits, and gave them perspective.

9. Risk. Be Willing to take The Big Risk
While not taking unnecessary chances, take that risk if the end is justified. Near the end of their ordeal, Shackleton and a small team rigged a sail on a small open boat, the James Caird, and embarked on the 800-mile journey across extremely hazardous seas to seek rescue. Fighting 40-foot waves, continually bailing frigid water, they made it to land – only to find they were on the wrong side of the island. After many more trials, they reached help. Had they not taken the risk, all men would certainly have been lost.

10. Tenacious Creativity. Never give up: There’s always another move.
Times of endurance require relentless creativity. On their trek across the island mentioned above, Shackleton’s team found themselves 4,500 feet up on the crest of a glacier, with their descent cut off by encroaching darkness and fog. To stay put was to freeze. To attempt to descend was to freeze more slowly. Shackleton’s brainwave: slide down the glacier! What did they have to lose? Locked together like a human toboggan, they slid screaming down the slope at a mile a minute.

The lessons in the book are supported by contemporary case studies, and practical suggestions for application and assessment. The Shackleton family motto was: By Endurance We Conquer. However, as Dennis Perkins proves, we don’t have to be a Shackleton to learn to perform like one.