Shackleton

1
Shackletons Way

• Leadership Lessons From the Great Antarctic
  Explorer

Roger J. Jaffe June 7, 2006
2
The Voyage

• December 5, 1914 Endurance sets sail for
  Antarctic
• January 18, 1915 Endurance gets stuck in pack
  ice
• October 27, 1915 Men abandon ship crushed by
  ice pack
• April 9, 1916 Lifeboats launched after 5 months
  in tents
• April 24, 1916 Shackleton sets out on an 800
  mile sail with 2 men in a 22 ft. boat
• May 10, 1916 Safe landing, rescue underway

3
(No Transcript)
4
(No Transcript)
5
(No Transcript)
6
(No Transcript)
7
(No Transcript)
8
(No Transcript)
9
Lessons
10
The Path to Leadership

• Compassion and responsibility
• Upbeat, positive environment
• Turn setbacks and failures into advantage
• Bold in vision, meticulous in planning
• Learn from mistakes
• Take the high road

11
Hire an Outstanding Crew

• Hire those who share your vision
• Evaluate personality, values, and perspective on
  life in addition to past experience
• Surround yourself with cheerful, optimistic
  people
• Hire those with greater talents and expertise
  than your own
• Spell out clearly the exact duties and
  requirements of the job
• Equip employees with the best tools and equipment

12
Get the Best from Each Individual

• Healthy bodies and minds are more productive
• Match the individual to the position
• Give consistent feedback on performance
• Strive for human as well as professional
  relationships
• Reward individuals as well as groups
• Be tolerant know individuals strengths and
  weaknesses and set reasonable expectations

13
Lead Effectively in a Crisis

• Communicate a plan of action and seek support
• Keep malcontents close to you resist the
  instinct to avoid them
• Defuse tension use humor to put people at ease
• Let go of the past dont waste time on regrets
• Seek advice and information from multiple sources
• Be patient
• Give people time to get used to the idea of an
  unpopular decision

14
Form Teams for Tough Assignments

• Self sufficient groups work best
• Empower team leaders but keep an eye on details
• Be self-sacrificing use the perks you can
  dispense
• Show confidence in those acting in your stead
• Never point out weaknesses of individuals in
  front of others

15
Overcome Obstacles to Reach Goals

• Go-for-broke risks become more acceptable as
  options narrow
• Seek inspiration in enduring wisdom that has
  comforted and motivated you or others in times of
  crisis
• Motivate your staff to be independent
• Let your people inspire you
• Make sure the whole job is done see the entire
  job, not just tasks, through to successful
  completion

16
Leave a Legacy

• Leadership is a fine thing, but it has its
  penalties. And the greatest penalty is
  loneliness.
• Optimism is true moral courage.
• The loyalty of your men is a sacred trust you
  carry. It is something which must never be
  betrayed, something you must live up to.
• I have often marveled at the thin line which
  separates success from failure.
• If youre a leader, a fellow that other fellows
  look to, youve got to keep going.

17
(No Transcript)