Leadership Lessons from Shackleton

A friend at work who seems to find a big picture in small things wrote this.  I wanted to remember.  

On the 100th anniversary of the first successful expedition to the South Pole, members of the Oncology Business Unit's Community trekked across downtown Indianapolis to attend a lecture led by the Associate Dean of Indiana University's Kelley School of Business titled, "Leadership Lessons from Shackleton's Expedition".  It is the story of shipwrecked sailors at the bottom of the world and how specific leadership philosophies helped this diverse crew persevere with teamwork and collaboration.

Key Leadership Lessons from Shackleton Expedition:

·  Leaders must have vision.
·  Leaders must be able to “sell” their “product”.
·  Leaders must know their supporters.
·  No one is perfect.  Leaders have flaws.
·  Leaders understand the importance of publicity and public relations.

·   Leaders have an unreasonable passion and an almost irrational faith that they will succeed.
·  Great leaders show faith in their subordinates.
·  Leaders must be firm but flexible.
·  Leaders must be willing to re-direct their ambition.

·  Leaders must be able to promote a sense of teamwork and democracy.
·  Leaders need to know how to deal with the unexpected and turn it to their advantage.
·  Leaders must know how to maintain morale.
·  Leaders must know how to get the optimal performance from their subordinates.

·  Leaders can not dwell on the present.  They must focus on the future.
·  Leaders must have optimism.
·  Leaders need to share the sacrifice.

·  Leaders need to choose the right teams.
·  Leaders need to make sure that no one feels shortchanged.
·  Leaders need at times to display Servant Leadership.
·  Leaders know the role of symbolism.

·  Leaders include the key players.
·  Leaders have a willingness to change direction and have that flexibility.
·  Leaders must recognize times for ceremonies and celebrations.
·  Leaders must know how to express appreciation to their team.

·  Leaders must be adept at dealing with adversity.
·  Leaders must be willing to admit mistakes.
·  Leaders understand self-sacrifice.
·  Leaders know how to create loyalty.
·  Leaders must be willing to risk everything if there seems to be few alternatives.
·  Leaders have an ability to inspire.

- Michael Lyons