TEREZUM

What does it take to be a great leader?

I have often found myself asking this question: what makes a person a great leader? I believe that a lot of people would think of great politicians or directors and managers of big companies. I think that the way a person reacts under extreme pressure and in extraordinary circumstances can give us a clue as in what they’re made of. When I think of a great leader I think of Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, an irish explorer born on 15 February 1874 in Ireland. Alfred Lansing, an american journalist and writer, will tell Shackleton’s story in his book Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage (1959).

“For scientific leadership give me Scott; for swift and efficient travel, Amundsen; but when you are in a hopeless situation, when there seems no way out, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton.”

It all started in august 1914 in an attempt to cross over Antarctica via South Pole. In january 1915 the ship Endurance is trapped into the ice. The crew has to abandon ship and find a way to survive and get back on land. The book is so well written that by the time you finish it, you will know how it feels to hear ice cracking around you. You will feel the cold, the hunger, the despair.

Shackleton managed to gather 27 men for this expedition. He was honest that the pay will be low and the risk enormous. Yet, a couple of brave men embarked for the trip. The name of the ship was inspired by Shackleton’s family motto: “Fortitudine vincimus” ( Through endurance we conquer).

Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. They got trapped in ice in the Weddell Sea. They had to abandon their ship and give up any possessions that would be an extra weight. They had to go through starvation, thirst, despair, loneliness, cold, desolation and incredible weather conditions. They have found themselves having to eat raw seal and penguin flesh and in the desperate need to get rid of their own sled dogs by shooting them and eating them out of necessity. The kind of conditions that these people had to endure is just beyond any wild imagination. Marooned in the middle of nowhere, in the midst of a cruel winter, the chances of survival seemed slim. Yet, Sir Ernest Shackleton managed to keep the group under control, with a good morale and united. I have found his leadership skills to be admirable and unique. When people are in a desperate survival situation they can be hard to control. Yet, Shackleton did an exquisite job in providing them the leader that the crew desperately needed.

“In all the world there is no desolation more complete than the polar night. It is a return to the Ice Age— no warmth, no life, no movement. Only those who have experienced it can fully appreciate what it means to be without the sun day after day and week after week. Few men unaccustomed to it can fight off its effects altogether, and it has driven some men mad.”

He had an ability to know how to pay attention to the mood of his people and attune his leadership style to match every person. His people were loyal to him and despite minor disagreements they were all following his lead. I believe that the case of Ernest Shackleton illustrates how important it is to have a great leader in any team. When the crew managed to reach Elephant Island it was a short lived joy: the place was not on any normal routes of sailors. It would have been a sure death sentence to remain here for long. So Shackleton made a bold decision: to gather a couple of men with him and head towards South Georgia, 800 miles away, to search for help. Here the leadership skills kicked in again: Shackleton knew what people he should take with him and which people should stay and wait for the rescue. Frank Wild, the second in command, was left on Elephant Island with the other 21 people while Shackleton headed towards South Georgia. Once arrived there the crew had to cross the island on foot. This has never been done! After terrible days of agony though very difficult terrain they have arrived at Stromness Whaling Station. Finally they knew they would be saved. With the help of an improvised ship and amazing will power they have managed to reach their destination!

It would take another 4 months until Shackleton would be able to come back with a proper ship to rescue the remaining crew left on Elephant Island. It would take another 40 years until anyone would attempt to cross the South Georgia Island like Shackleton did.

What this irish captain has achived is amazing. He has put aside the fact that the main objective of the expedition was gone. He prioritized getting his people back alive and safe on land. He did not show any signs of worries. He kept his cool and managed to kill off any insubordinate attempts very early on. He had a tight grasp on his crew yet he was respected and valued. He was not a tyran , his leadership power stood in his ability to read the personality of his crew members and adapt his approach for each and every person. He knew how “ to read the room” and he was excellent at it.

This book shows what an extraordinary capacity to adapt the human spirit has. Thrown into hell any human can find a glimmer of hope if it has the right attitude. The mental war is the most difficult to win and Shackleton knew that the lack of good spirit is more threatening than the lack of food.

“Of all their enemies — the cold, the ice, the sea — he feared none more than demoralization.”

This book will make you realize that the power of great leadership sits in the ability to read people’s emotions and adapting to their temper. There is no room for ego, for power play. Sir Ernest Shackleton’s voyage will continue to inspire generations to come when it will come down to man’s power in extreme conditions to keep his head high and dare to hope for survival.

“No matter what the odds, a man does not pin his last hope for survival on something and then expect that it will fail.”