Leading at the Edge: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition

From Publishers Weekly
Although their experiences may sometimes seem torturous, most managers aren't facing dangerous or life-threatening conditions. Even so, argues consultant Perkins, they would do well to learn from both triumphant and failed expeditions. A former Marine lieutenant, Perkins introduces 10 key concepts he believes are essential to productive leadership with lively anecdotes from the adverse but ultimately successful expedition to the South Pole led by Ernest Shackleton in 1914 (his entire crew survived on the ice with almost no supplies or hope for rescue after their ship drifted off course and was crushed), which he contrasts with a disastrous Canadian expedition launched at almost the same time. Among the principles in the book's first half: "Minimize status differences and insist on courtesy and mutual respect"; "Take care of yourself, maintain your stamina and let go of your guilt"; "Set a personal example with visible, memorable symbols and behaviors." He also suggests that managers can benefit by keeping an "expedition log" in which they write about their current work situations. The second half of the book consists of four business case studies, including one of Malden Mills, a family-owned company that remained open despite fires that virtually shut down its operations. General readers are likely to find these studies less compelling, though experienced executives may identify with some of the management issues. (May) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


The New York Times, May 28, 2000
Perkins has distilled 10 principles from [Shackleton's] survival experiences he offers them as a guide for business leadership at the edge.


National Post, May 25,2000
...should be read by anyone who aspires to the mantle of leadership.


Book Description
It is ironic that a 90-year-old story of courage and endurance should have lessons for the Internet Age-but it does! Anyone attempting to lead in the face of uncertainty and adversity will learn much from this tremendously engaging and compelling book. DAVID A. NADLER, Chairman, Delta Consulting Group, Inc., and author of Champions of Change and Competing by Design Perkins offers a unique and refreshing perspective on the challenge of leadership. His insights-and skillful use of the Shackleton expedition as a case study make the book a valuable contribution and a must-read. WILLIAM H. DONALDSON, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc., founding Dean, Professor of Management, Yale School of Management, Former Chairman and CEO, The New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Leading at the Edge captures the remarkable Endurance story and serves as an effective guide for all those who find themselves in leadership positions--both on and off the ice. ANN BANCROFT, Polar Explorer, attempting the first all-women's crossing of Antarctica in November 2000 with Norwegian explorer Liv Arnesan An epic story that not only provides lessons on how to be a good leader, but also makes us stop to think about the fundamental goals of leadershipan invaluable tool for any leadership initiative. DEBORAH ANCONA, Seley Distinguished Professor of Management, Sloan School of Management, MIT Dennis Perkins uses Shackleton's extraordinary adventure to demonstrate invaluable, practical traits of leadership. Leading at the Edge is a well-written, power-packed read. I could not recommend it more highly. JOHN H. DALTON, Former Secretary of the Navy, and Chairman and CEO, Metal Technology, Inc. Fascinating. Great story after story, along with important learnings about leadership. ED LAWLER, Director, Center for Effective Organizations, USC. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Part adventure story, part leadership guide, this intriguing book examines Shackletons legendary Antarctic expedition through the lens of business to reveal a set of powerful strategies for corporate leaders. In the chronicles of extraordinary adventures and against the-odds survival, nothing compares to the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his team of Antarctic explorers. Stranded in the frozen sea for nearly two years, they endured extreme temperatures, hazardous ice, dwindling food, complete isolation, and perpetual blackness. Yet, despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the group remained cohesive, congenial, and mercifully alive a fact that speaks not just to luck but to an unparalleled feat in leadership. Now, for the first time ever, LEADING AT THE EDGE draws on this amazing story to reveal the power of effective organizational leadership under conditions of uncertainty, ambiguity, and rapid change. The book uncovers 10 lessons complete with stirring examples from the Shackleton expedition, as well as contemporary business case studies of the strategies in action on what it takes to be a great leader. Readers learn how to: *Set a personal example with vivid symbols and behaviors *Instill optimism while staying grounded in reality *Reinforce the team message constantly *Find something to celebrate and something to laugh about *Have the courage to take big risks, and more. For managers and executives who feel stressed out or stretched thin, these memorable strategies will help bring order to chaos and success in the face of the most daunting adversity.


Book Info
Translates the survival story of the Shackleton Expedition through the lens of business, to reveal ten lessons on what it takes to be a great leader. DLC: Shackelton, Ernest Henry.


About the Author
Dennis N. T. Perkins, Ph.D. (Branford, CT) is president of the Syncretics Group, a consultancy that specializes in effective leadership. Margaret P. Holtman is director of employee development at Hartford Life, Inc. Paul R. Kessler is a managing consultant at Stromberg Consulting. Catherine McCarthy, Ph.D., is a consultant with Organizational Psychologists, L.L.C.


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In Leading at the Edge, consultant Dennis Perkins masterfully weaves the story of Shackleton's journey - with all of the drama and intensity intact - into 10 strategies for 'leading at the edge.'￯﾿ﾽPerkins expertly combines leadership examples from the expedition with well-known corporate problems, and subsequent solutions, to define a model of superior personal and business leadership.


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