Leading at The Edge, 2nd Edition

Leading at The Edge, 2nd Edition

by DENNIS N.T. PERKINS, MARGARET P. HOLTMAN, Jillian B. Murphy
Released March 2012
Publisher(s): AMACOM
ISBN: 9780814431610

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Book description


For the 100th anniversary of the Race to the South Pole, a fresh look at what Shackleton's legendary Antarctic adventure can teach us about true leadership.

Stranded in the frozen Antarctic sea for nearly two years, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his team of 27 polar explorers endured extreme temperatures, hazardous ice, dwindling food, and complete isolation. Despite these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the group remained cohesive, congenial, and mercifully alive—a fact that speaks not just to luck but to an unparalleled feat of leadership.

Drawing on this amazing story, Leading at The Edge demonstrates the importance of a strong leader in times of adversity, uncertainty, and change. The book reveals 10 timeless leadership lessons that show readers how to: • Instill optimism while staying grounded in reality
• Have the courage to step up to risks worth taking
• Consistently reinforce the team message
• Set a personal example
• Find something to celebrate and something to laugh about
• Never give up.

Part adventure tale, part leadership guide, the second edition features additional lessons, new case studies of the strategies in action, tools to uncover and resolve conflicts, and expanded resources. An updated epilogue compares the leadership styles of the famous polar explorers Shackleton, Amundsen, and Scott. Today’s leaders have much to learn from this gripping account of survival against all odds. Leading at The Edge will help them bring order to chaos—and achieve success in the face of adversity.

Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Dedication
  5. Contents
  6. Acknowledgments for the Second Edition
  7. Acknowledgments for the First Edition
  8. Preface
  9. The Shackleton Saga
  10. Part One Ten Strategies for Leading at The Edge
    1. 1 Vision and Quick Victories
      1. Strategy 1: Never lose sight of the ultimate goal, and focus energy on short-term objectives.
    2. 2 Symbolism and Personal Example
      1. Strategy 2: Set a personal example with visible, memorable symbols and behaviors.
    3. 3 Optimism and Reality
      1. Strategy 3: Instill optimism and self-confidence, but stay grounded in reality.
    4. 4 Stamina
      1. Strategy 4:Take care of yourself: Maintain your stamina and let go of guilt.
    5. 5 The Team Message
      1. Strategy 5: Reinforce the team message constantly: “We are one—we live or die together.”
    6. 6 Core TeamValues
      1. Strategy 6: Minimize status differences and insist on courtesy and mutual respect.
    7. 7 Conflict
      1. Strategy 7: Master conflict—deal with anger in small doses, engage dissidents, and avoid needless power struggles.
    8. 8 Lighten Up!
      1. Strategy 8: Find something to celebrate and something to laugh about.
    9. 9 Risk
      1. Strategy 9: Be willing to take the Big Risk.
    10. 10 Tenacious Creativity
      1. Strategy 10: Never give up—there’s always another move.
  11. Part Two Continuing Your Expedition
    1. 11 Learning to Lead at The Edge
    2. 12 Epilogue:What Makes an Exceptional Leader?
  12. Part Three Tools for Leading at The Edge
    1. Expedition Toolkit
    2. Critical Leadership Skills Survey
    3. Your Leadership Expedition: A Personal Development Plan
    4. Your Leadership Expedition Map
    5. Identifying Hidden Conflicts: Conducting a Moose Round-Up
    6. Resolving Conflicts: Lessons from the Martial Arts
  13. Further Readings from The Edge
  14. Notes
  15. Index
  16. Acknowledgments for Previously Published Materials
  17. Opening pages of Into the Storm

Product information

  • Title: Leading at The Edge, 2nd Edition
  • Author(s): DENNIS N.T. PERKINS, MARGARET P. HOLTMAN, Jillian B. Murphy
  • Release date: March 2012
  • Publisher(s): AMACOM
  • ISBN: 9780814431610