Leading on the Edge: Extraordinary Stories and Leadership Insights from The World's Most Extreme Workplace

Chapter 9      

First prepare yourself, then leave your comfort zone

Late one Friday afternoon, about four weeks after boot camp, I noticed a missed call on my phone, but no message. It was a Hobart number, one I didn't recognise. I'd already knocked off for the week and had poured a glass of sauvignon blanc to celebrate the beginning of the weekend. Would I return the call or wouldn't I? I bit the bullet and called the number, even though by now it was close to 5.30 pm.

The appointment

‘Hello, Rebecca speaking.’ I didn't know a Rebecca and was tempted to hang up, but I said, ‘It's Rachael Robertson. I have a missed call from you’.

‘Wonderful! I'm the new recruitment officer at the AAD. I was going to call you back on Monday but I'll tell you right now …’ She paused. For too long. There could only be one reason the recruitment officer was calling me … I held my breath.

‘You've got the job! You're headed to Davis Station as Expedition Leader for 2005!’

I let out a whoop! Very uncharacteristic of me! Rebecca picked up on my excitement and became animated. ‘We're very excited to offer you the role. You'll be only the second female leader at Davis Station in its 50-year history.’

We chatted some more about the mechanics of what would happen next and I hung up, elated. I kept the news to myself all weekend and started to make a list of the things I would need to do, think about, plan ...