Skip to Content
LEADING AT THE EDGE: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition
book

LEADING AT THE EDGE: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition

by Dennis N. T. Perkins, Margaret P. Holtman, Paul R. Kessler, Catherine McCarthy
March 2000
Beginner content levelBeginner
270 pages
6h 41m
English
AMACOM

Overview

Part adventure story, part leadership guide, this intriguing book examines Shackleton's 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 South Pole 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.

    Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
    and much more.
    Start your free trial

    You might also like

    Gear-Shifting Leadership

    Gear-Shifting Leadership

    Leon Cai
    How to Become a Game-Changing Leader

    How to Become a Game-Changing Leader

    Douglas A. Ready, Alan Mulally

    Publisher Resources

    ISBN: 0814405436