People Strategies: Failed polar expedition teaches us importance of leadership

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Linda Bower is a speaker, executive coach and human performance improvement consultant in Rogersville.|ret||ret||tab|

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One of Springfield's greatest treasures is our world-class Discovery Center. We should be proud that the Discovery Center landed the only Midwest stop for "The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition." Go see it before Jan. 5 and buy the book "Leading at the Edge" at the center's book store.|ret||ret||tab|

The Shakleton exhibition was made possible by a major gift from Ann and Tre Neu.|ret||ret||tab|

The fact that an entire book about leadership was written based on a failed polar expedition gives visitors a keen advantage in realizing the significance of Shackleton's arduous adventure. It will also make your life and business challenges feel like a few snowflakes on an iceberg. |ret||ret||tab|

Shackleton's leadership|ret||ret||tab|

This excerpt from the book's Preface describes why Shackleton and his shipmates are worth learning from:|ret||ret||tab|

"On Aug. 3, 1913, a Canadian expedition led by Vilhjalmur Stefansson set out to explore the frozen Arctic, between the northernmost shores of Canada and the North Pole. On Dec. 5, 1914, the British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, led by Sir Ernest Shackleton, sailed from the island of South Georgia in the Southern Ocean. Its goal was the first overland crossing of Antarctica.|ret||ret||tab|

"Both ships soon found themselves beset in solid pack ice. Trapped by the ice, each crew was soon engaged in a fight for survival. But the outcomes of these two adventures and the ways in which the two leaders dealt with obstacles were as far apart as the poles each leader set out to explore.|ret||ret||tab|

"In the north, the crew of the Karluk found themselves transformed in the months that followed into a band of self-interested, disparate individuals. Lying, cheating and stealing became common behaviors. The disintegration of the team had tragic consequences for its 11 members, who died in the Arctic wasteland.|ret||ret||tab|

"In the frozen south Shackleton's expedition faced the same problems of ice, cold, and shortages of food and supplies. The response of his crew to these hellish conditions, however, was teamwork, self-sacrifice and astonishing good cheer."|ret||ret||tab|

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By endurance we conquer|ret||ret||tab|

What did Shackleton do that was so different from Stefansson? For one, he was raised with a strong family motto, "Fortitudine Vincimus: By Endurance We Conquer." |ret||ret||tab|

With that mission, Shackleton broke with traditional leadership practices to bring all 28 men home alive. A trip that was supposed to take 120 days took 634 days through the most treacherous landscape on our planet. |ret||ret||tab|

Shackleton had a keen advantage in his friendship with Frank Wild. Wild's loyalty to Shackleton was established during an earlier expedition. Out of food, Shackleton gave Wild his last biscuit. They were so close that they finished each other's sentences. The key is that they complemented each other. Shackleton was bold and visionary; Wild led quietly and consistently in the background, always with the same intent as Shackleton.|ret||ret||tab|

One journal entry referred to an incident that occurred in Shackleton's absence. A shipmate accidentally spilled his daily ration of milk. On the very real verge of starvation, the group of men sitting around him, held up their cups and poured a little of their milk into his cup.|ret||ret||tab|

Shackleton did not hover above his men, making them behave like a team. Instead, his shipmates internalized Shackleton's leadership and team principles. |ret||ret||tab|

According to "Leading at the Edge," Shackleton's saga yielded 10 contemporary leadership strategies.|ret||ret||tab|

Never lose sight of the ultimate goal and focus energy on short-term objectives.|ret||ret||tab|

Set a personal example with visible, memorable symbols and behaviors.|ret||ret||tab|

Instill optimism and self-confidence, but stay grounded in reality.|ret||ret||tab|

Take care of yourself: Maintain your stamina and let go of guilt.|ret||ret||tab|

Reinforce the team message constantly: "We are one we live or die together."|ret||ret||tab|

Minimize status differences and insist on courtesy and mutual respect.|ret||ret||tab|

Master conflict. Deal with anger in small doses, engage dissidents and avoid needless power struggles.|ret||ret||tab|

Find something to celebrate and something to laugh about.|ret||ret||tab|

Be willing to take the big risk.|ret||ret||tab|

Never give up there's always another move.|ret||ret||tab|

If Shackleton weren't real, I'd be thinking, "Mom and apple pie." But he was real. And his extraordinary leadership may well be a greater legacy than if he would have accomplished his original goal, to walk across Antarctica.|ret||ret||tab|

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