Shackleton is called the Greatest Leader that ever came on GOD's earth. He never led a group larger than 27. He failed to reach nearly every goal he ever set. He failed only at the improbable, he succeeded at the unimaginable.
Major Failures
- Discovery expedition returned 460 milrs short of Pole
- Own expedition returned 97 miles short of Pole
- Endurance expedition -lost ships before touching Antartica
Successes
- He led ALL members of his crew to safety after 2 years of expedition
- First to discover vegetation on a remote antartic island
- Located magnetic south pole
- First to find coal in antartic
- Innovations in exploration packing, clothing, diet equipments
A Leader is a dealer in hope is an apt way of describing Shackleton.
He built success on a foundation of camaraderie, loyalty, responsibility, determination and above all optimism. For him risk taking did not mean being careless- Better a Live Donkey than a Dead Lion. He always put People First. He chose to live another day to conquer another, even bigger goal.
Shackleton's leadership is the call of the day. Today's culture of victimisation and sespair needs leaders who are optimists.
Shackleton's challenges were similar to what managers go through
- Bringing a diverse group together to work towards a common goal
- Handling the constant naysayer
- Bucking up the perpetual worrier
- Keeping the disgruntled from poisoning the atmosphere
- battling boredom and fatigue
- bringing order and success to chaotic environment
- working with limited resources
Shackleton's brand of leadership values flexibility, teamwork and individual triumph. He served tea in bed to the ship's cry baby, flattered the egomaniacs and kept close to him the most abrasive personalities. Sometimes he led by not leading at all. His tools were humour, generosity, intelligence, strength and compassion.
The next blog will talk about the chapter "Path of Leadership". Stay tuned.
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