What do you think?
Rate this book
Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer
Lead your business to survival and success by following the example of legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton
Sir Ernest Shackleton has been called "the greatest leader that ever came on God's earth, bar none" for saving the lives of the twenty-seven men stranded with him in the Antarctic for almost two years. Because of his courageous actions, he remains to this day a model for great leadership and masterful crisis management. Now, through anecdotes, the diaries of the men in his crew, and Shackleton's own writing, Shackleton's leadership style and time-honored principles are translated for the modern business world. Written by two veteran business observers and illustrated with ship photographer Frank Hurley's masterpieces and other rarely seen photos, this practical book helps today's leaders follow Shackleton's triumphant example.
"An important addition to any leader's library." - Seattle Times
Sir Ernest Shackleton has been called "the greatest leader that ever came on God's earth, bar none" for saving the lives of the twenty-seven men stranded with him in the Antarctic for almost two years. Because of his courageous actions, he remains to this day a model for great leadership and masterful crisis management. Now, through anecdotes, the diaries of the men in his crew, and Shackleton's own writing, Shackleton's leadership style and time-honored principles are translated for the modern business world. Written by two veteran business observers and illustrated with ship photographer Frank Hurley's masterpieces and other rarely seen photos, this practical book helps today's leaders follow Shackleton's triumphant example.
"An important addition to any leader's library." - Seattle Times
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
312 people are currently reading
2333 people want to read
About the author
Margot Morrell
11 books8 followersCheck out the Shackleton Leadership SlideShows under Tools for Educators at www.shackletonsway.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
December 11, 2022
Powerful book about incredible leadership based on Sir Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition between 1914 - 1916 where he got every single member of his team home safely after their ship sunk in a remote, frozen sea. They were stranded on an ice floe 1,200 miles from civilization.
The book describes Shackleton's childhood where he was one of eight children. He read broadly, committed to always finishing a job, and paid close attention to details.
Shackleton had unorthodox hiring practices but he focused on hiring optimists who shared his vision and enthusiasm for exploration. He sought people who really wanted the job and who didn't mind doing menial tasks.
As a leader, Shackleton first and foremost focused on the well-being of his team. He made himself accessible and actively listened to concerns. Most importantly, he kept them informed about the ship's business. He also provided continual feedback.
I really liked this book because the best leaders I have worked for during my career demonstrated the same approach as Shackleton.
Highly recommend!
The book describes Shackleton's childhood where he was one of eight children. He read broadly, committed to always finishing a job, and paid close attention to details.
Shackleton had unorthodox hiring practices but he focused on hiring optimists who shared his vision and enthusiasm for exploration. He sought people who really wanted the job and who didn't mind doing menial tasks.
As a leader, Shackleton first and foremost focused on the well-being of his team. He made himself accessible and actively listened to concerns. Most importantly, he kept them informed about the ship's business. He also provided continual feedback.
I really liked this book because the best leaders I have worked for during my career demonstrated the same approach as Shackleton.
Highly recommend!
October 27, 2013
Below are key excerpts from the book that I found particularly insightful:
1- "Shackleton's strategy is the antithesis of the old command-and-control models. His brand of leadership instead values flexibility, teamwork, and individual triumph. It brings back some of the gentlemanliness and decorum of the past, but without the hidden agenda of an exclusionary inner circle. It's business with a human face."
2- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS: -Cultivate a sense of compassion and responsibility for others. You have a bigger impact on the lives of those under you than you can imagine. - Once you make a career decision, commit to sticking through the tough learning period. -Do your part to help create an upbeat environment at work. A positive and cheerful workplace is important to productivity. -Broaden your cultural and social horizons beyond your usual experiences. Learning to see things from different perspectives will give you greater flexibility in problem solving at work. -In a rapidly changing world, be willing to venture in new directions to seize new opportunities and learn new skills. -Find a way to turn setbacks and failures to your advantage. This would be a good time to step forward on your own. -Be bold in vision and careful in planning. Dare to try something new, but be meticulous enough in your proposal to give your ideas a good chance of succeeding. -Learn from past mistakes—yours and those made by others. Sometimes the best teachers are the bad bosses and the negative experiences. -Never insist on reaching a goal at any cost. It must be achieved at a reasonable expense, without undue hardship for your staff. -Don't be drawn into > public disputes with rivals. Rather, engage in respectful competition. You may need their cooperation someday."
3- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF SELECTING AND ORGANIZING A CREW. -Start with a solid core of workers you know from past jobs or who come recommended by trusted colleagues. -Your No. 2 is your most important hire. Pick one who complements your management style, shows loyalty without being a yes-man, and has a talent for working with others. -Hire those who share your vision. Someone who clashes with your personality or the corporate culture will hinder your work. -Be a creative, unconventional interviewer if you seek creative. unconventional people. Go deeper than job experience and expertise. Ask questions that reveal a candidate's personality, values, and perspective on work and life. -Surround yourself with cheerful, optimistic people. They will reward you with the loyalty and camaraderie vital for success. -Applicants hungriest for the job are apt to work hardest to keep it. -To weed out potential slackers, choose workers who show a willingness to tackle any job, and will take a turn at the unpopular tasks. -Hire those with the talents and expertise you lack. Don't feel threatened by them. They will help you stay on the cutting edge and bring distinction to your organization. -Spell out clearly to new employees the exact duties and requirements of their jobs, and how they will be compensated. Many failed work relationships start with a lack of communication. -To help your staff do top-notch work, give them the best equipment you can afford. Working with outdated, unreliable tools creates an unnecessary burden."
4- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF FORGING A UNITED AND LOYAL TEAM. -Take the time to observe before acting, especially if you are new to the scene. All changes should be aimed at improvements. Don't make changes just for the sake of leaving you mark. -Always keep the door open to your staff members, and be generous with information that affects them. Well-informed i employees are more eager and better prepared to participate. -Establish order and routine on the job so all workers know where they stand and what is expected of them. The discipline makes the staff feel they're in capable hands. -Break down traditional hierarchies and cliques by training workers to do a number of jobs, from the menial to the challenging. -Where possible, have employees work together on certain tasks. It builds trust and respect and even friendship. -Be fair and impartial in meting out compensations, workloads. and punishments. Imbalances make everyone feel uncomfortable, even the favored. -Lead by example. Chip in sometimes to help with the work you're having others do. It gives you the opportunity to set a high standard and shows your respect for the job. -Have regular gatherings to build esprit de corps. These could be informal lunches that allow workers to speak freely outside the office. Or they could be special holiday or anniversary celebrations that let employees relate to each other as people rather than only as colleagues."
5- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF DEVELOPING INDIVIDUAL TALENT. -Create a work environment comfortable enough to entice professionals to spend the greater part of their waking hours there. Allow for some personal preferences. -Be generous with programs that promote the well-being of your staff. Healthy bodies and minds are more productive. -Make sure each employee has challenging and important work. Even the lowest-ranking workers must feel they are making a valuable and appreciated contribution to the company. -Match the person to the position. Be observant of the types of people who are working for you and what jobs might best suit their personalities as well as their experience. -Give consistent feedback on performance. Most workers feel they don't get nearly enough words of praise and encouragement. -Strive for work relationships that have a human as well as professional element. No matter how large your company, get to know as many employees as possible. Memorize their interests so you can chat about something other than work. -Reward the individual as well as the group. Public acknowledgment of a job well done—a birthday or a work anniversary—will make an employee feel appreciated. -Be tolerant. Know each employee's strengths and weaknesses, and set reasonable expectations. Occasionally indulging individuals, even if you think they're being too needy, can have a powerful effect, especially in high-stress situations."
6- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF GETTING THE GROUP THROUGH A CRISIS. -When crisis strikes, immediately address your staff. Take charge of the situation, offer a plan of action, ask for support and show absolute confidence in a positive outcome. -Get rid of unnecessary middle layers of authority. Direct leadership is more efficient in emergency situations. -Plan several options in detail. Get a grasp of the possible consequences of each, always keeping your eye on the big picture. -Streamline supplies and operations so they won't slow you down. -Give your staff an occasional reality check to keep them on course. After time, people will start to treat a crisis situation as business as usual and lose their focus. -Keep your malcontents close to you. Resist your instinct to avoid them and instead try to win them over and gain their support. -Defuse tension. In high-stress situations use humor to put people at ease, and keep your staff busy. -Let go of the past. Don't waste time or energy regretting pa? mistakes or fretting over what you can't change. -Ask for advice and information from a variety of sources, but ultimately make decisions based on your own best judgment. -Let all the people involved in the crisis participate in the solution even if that means doling out some work that is less than vital. -Be patient. Sometimes the best course of action is to do nothing but watch and wait. -Give your staff plenty of time to get used to the idea of an unpopular decision by leaking early details."
7- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF FORMING GROUPS FOR THE TOUGHEST TASKS. -The best way to handle the biggest tasks is often to divide the Staff into teams. Create units that are self-sufficient, but understand they won't all be equal. It is more important that the teams are balanced when considering the big picture. -Make sure you have some cracker-jack groups that can handle the toughest challenges. They can also help others, to ensure mo team falls far behind. -Give the tedious assignments to the workhorses who don't complain. Let them know you are aware that you are giving them an outsized task and that you count on their goodwill and exceptional fortitude to get the job done. -Empower the team leaders so they have the authority to handle their own group, but keep an eye on the details. Never let yourself be surprised by problems down the road. -Don't be afraid to change your mind when you see your plan isn't working. You won't look indecisive if you show the logic of your changes. -Be self-sacrificing. Give whatever perks it is in your power to dispense. -Give a show of confidence in those acting in your stead. It's important that your support staff maintain in your absence the same level of competency you set. -Never point out the weaknesses of individuals in front of others. Often, it's better to let everyone share in a remedy aimed at a few. Chances are, even the strongest will benefit from it."
8- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF FINDING THE DETERMINATION TO MOVE FORWARD. -Go-for-broke risks become more acceptable as options narrow. Sometimes the potential rewards at the end of a daring venture justify the risk of suffering a spectacular failure. -Seek inspiration in enduring wisdom that has comforted or motivated you or others in times of crisis. It will get you through the most physically and emotionally draining times and help you to keep your perspective. -Congratulate yourself and others for a job well done. A pat on the back or a sincere handshake is an expression of personal thanks and gratitude that has never gone out of fashion. -Motivate your staff to be independent. If you have been a good leader, they will have the determination to succeed on their own. -Let your staff inspire you. At times, an overwhelming workload may force you to consider lowering your standards. Remember that the final product must represent the best efforts of the entire group. -Even in the most stressful situations, don't forget that you are part of a larger world that might benefit from your expertise. In turn, participating in community and family activities can give you skills useful on the job. -Make sure the whole job is done. Your staff may be able to call it quits after the heavy lifting is over, but you are responsible for seeing the work through to its successful completion."
9- "SHACKLETON'S THOUGHTS ON LEADERSHIP. -'There are lots of good things in the world, but I'm not sure that comradeship is not the best of them all—to know that you can do something big for another chap." -"Optimism is true moral courage." -"Leadership is a fine thing, but it has its penalties. And the greatest penalty is loneliness." -'A man must shape himself to a new mark directly the old one goes to ground." -'The loyalty of your men is a sacred trust you carry. It is something which must never be betrayed, something you must live up to." -"I have often marveled at the thin fine which separates success from failure." -'You often have to hide from them not only the truth, but your feelings about the truth. You may know that the facts are dead against you, but you mustn't say so." -'If you're a leader, a fellow that other fellows look to, you've got to keep going."
1- "Shackleton's strategy is the antithesis of the old command-and-control models. His brand of leadership instead values flexibility, teamwork, and individual triumph. It brings back some of the gentlemanliness and decorum of the past, but without the hidden agenda of an exclusionary inner circle. It's business with a human face."
2- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS: -Cultivate a sense of compassion and responsibility for others. You have a bigger impact on the lives of those under you than you can imagine. - Once you make a career decision, commit to sticking through the tough learning period. -Do your part to help create an upbeat environment at work. A positive and cheerful workplace is important to productivity. -Broaden your cultural and social horizons beyond your usual experiences. Learning to see things from different perspectives will give you greater flexibility in problem solving at work. -In a rapidly changing world, be willing to venture in new directions to seize new opportunities and learn new skills. -Find a way to turn setbacks and failures to your advantage. This would be a good time to step forward on your own. -Be bold in vision and careful in planning. Dare to try something new, but be meticulous enough in your proposal to give your ideas a good chance of succeeding. -Learn from past mistakes—yours and those made by others. Sometimes the best teachers are the bad bosses and the negative experiences. -Never insist on reaching a goal at any cost. It must be achieved at a reasonable expense, without undue hardship for your staff. -Don't be drawn into > public disputes with rivals. Rather, engage in respectful competition. You may need their cooperation someday."
3- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF SELECTING AND ORGANIZING A CREW. -Start with a solid core of workers you know from past jobs or who come recommended by trusted colleagues. -Your No. 2 is your most important hire. Pick one who complements your management style, shows loyalty without being a yes-man, and has a talent for working with others. -Hire those who share your vision. Someone who clashes with your personality or the corporate culture will hinder your work. -Be a creative, unconventional interviewer if you seek creative. unconventional people. Go deeper than job experience and expertise. Ask questions that reveal a candidate's personality, values, and perspective on work and life. -Surround yourself with cheerful, optimistic people. They will reward you with the loyalty and camaraderie vital for success. -Applicants hungriest for the job are apt to work hardest to keep it. -To weed out potential slackers, choose workers who show a willingness to tackle any job, and will take a turn at the unpopular tasks. -Hire those with the talents and expertise you lack. Don't feel threatened by them. They will help you stay on the cutting edge and bring distinction to your organization. -Spell out clearly to new employees the exact duties and requirements of their jobs, and how they will be compensated. Many failed work relationships start with a lack of communication. -To help your staff do top-notch work, give them the best equipment you can afford. Working with outdated, unreliable tools creates an unnecessary burden."
4- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF FORGING A UNITED AND LOYAL TEAM. -Take the time to observe before acting, especially if you are new to the scene. All changes should be aimed at improvements. Don't make changes just for the sake of leaving you mark. -Always keep the door open to your staff members, and be generous with information that affects them. Well-informed i employees are more eager and better prepared to participate. -Establish order and routine on the job so all workers know where they stand and what is expected of them. The discipline makes the staff feel they're in capable hands. -Break down traditional hierarchies and cliques by training workers to do a number of jobs, from the menial to the challenging. -Where possible, have employees work together on certain tasks. It builds trust and respect and even friendship. -Be fair and impartial in meting out compensations, workloads. and punishments. Imbalances make everyone feel uncomfortable, even the favored. -Lead by example. Chip in sometimes to help with the work you're having others do. It gives you the opportunity to set a high standard and shows your respect for the job. -Have regular gatherings to build esprit de corps. These could be informal lunches that allow workers to speak freely outside the office. Or they could be special holiday or anniversary celebrations that let employees relate to each other as people rather than only as colleagues."
5- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF DEVELOPING INDIVIDUAL TALENT. -Create a work environment comfortable enough to entice professionals to spend the greater part of their waking hours there. Allow for some personal preferences. -Be generous with programs that promote the well-being of your staff. Healthy bodies and minds are more productive. -Make sure each employee has challenging and important work. Even the lowest-ranking workers must feel they are making a valuable and appreciated contribution to the company. -Match the person to the position. Be observant of the types of people who are working for you and what jobs might best suit their personalities as well as their experience. -Give consistent feedback on performance. Most workers feel they don't get nearly enough words of praise and encouragement. -Strive for work relationships that have a human as well as professional element. No matter how large your company, get to know as many employees as possible. Memorize their interests so you can chat about something other than work. -Reward the individual as well as the group. Public acknowledgment of a job well done—a birthday or a work anniversary—will make an employee feel appreciated. -Be tolerant. Know each employee's strengths and weaknesses, and set reasonable expectations. Occasionally indulging individuals, even if you think they're being too needy, can have a powerful effect, especially in high-stress situations."
6- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF GETTING THE GROUP THROUGH A CRISIS. -When crisis strikes, immediately address your staff. Take charge of the situation, offer a plan of action, ask for support and show absolute confidence in a positive outcome. -Get rid of unnecessary middle layers of authority. Direct leadership is more efficient in emergency situations. -Plan several options in detail. Get a grasp of the possible consequences of each, always keeping your eye on the big picture. -Streamline supplies and operations so they won't slow you down. -Give your staff an occasional reality check to keep them on course. After time, people will start to treat a crisis situation as business as usual and lose their focus. -Keep your malcontents close to you. Resist your instinct to avoid them and instead try to win them over and gain their support. -Defuse tension. In high-stress situations use humor to put people at ease, and keep your staff busy. -Let go of the past. Don't waste time or energy regretting pa? mistakes or fretting over what you can't change. -Ask for advice and information from a variety of sources, but ultimately make decisions based on your own best judgment. -Let all the people involved in the crisis participate in the solution even if that means doling out some work that is less than vital. -Be patient. Sometimes the best course of action is to do nothing but watch and wait. -Give your staff plenty of time to get used to the idea of an unpopular decision by leaking early details."
7- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF FORMING GROUPS FOR THE TOUGHEST TASKS. -The best way to handle the biggest tasks is often to divide the Staff into teams. Create units that are self-sufficient, but understand they won't all be equal. It is more important that the teams are balanced when considering the big picture. -Make sure you have some cracker-jack groups that can handle the toughest challenges. They can also help others, to ensure mo team falls far behind. -Give the tedious assignments to the workhorses who don't complain. Let them know you are aware that you are giving them an outsized task and that you count on their goodwill and exceptional fortitude to get the job done. -Empower the team leaders so they have the authority to handle their own group, but keep an eye on the details. Never let yourself be surprised by problems down the road. -Don't be afraid to change your mind when you see your plan isn't working. You won't look indecisive if you show the logic of your changes. -Be self-sacrificing. Give whatever perks it is in your power to dispense. -Give a show of confidence in those acting in your stead. It's important that your support staff maintain in your absence the same level of competency you set. -Never point out the weaknesses of individuals in front of others. Often, it's better to let everyone share in a remedy aimed at a few. Chances are, even the strongest will benefit from it."
8- "SHACKLETON'S WAY OF FINDING THE DETERMINATION TO MOVE FORWARD. -Go-for-broke risks become more acceptable as options narrow. Sometimes the potential rewards at the end of a daring venture justify the risk of suffering a spectacular failure. -Seek inspiration in enduring wisdom that has comforted or motivated you or others in times of crisis. It will get you through the most physically and emotionally draining times and help you to keep your perspective. -Congratulate yourself and others for a job well done. A pat on the back or a sincere handshake is an expression of personal thanks and gratitude that has never gone out of fashion. -Motivate your staff to be independent. If you have been a good leader, they will have the determination to succeed on their own. -Let your staff inspire you. At times, an overwhelming workload may force you to consider lowering your standards. Remember that the final product must represent the best efforts of the entire group. -Even in the most stressful situations, don't forget that you are part of a larger world that might benefit from your expertise. In turn, participating in community and family activities can give you skills useful on the job. -Make sure the whole job is done. Your staff may be able to call it quits after the heavy lifting is over, but you are responsible for seeing the work through to its successful completion."
9- "SHACKLETON'S THOUGHTS ON LEADERSHIP. -'There are lots of good things in the world, but I'm not sure that comradeship is not the best of them all—to know that you can do something big for another chap." -"Optimism is true moral courage." -"Leadership is a fine thing, but it has its penalties. And the greatest penalty is loneliness." -'A man must shape himself to a new mark directly the old one goes to ground." -'The loyalty of your men is a sacred trust you carry. It is something which must never be betrayed, something you must live up to." -"I have often marveled at the thin fine which separates success from failure." -'You often have to hide from them not only the truth, but your feelings about the truth. You may know that the facts are dead against you, but you mustn't say so." -'If you're a leader, a fellow that other fellows look to, you've got to keep going."
April 15, 2020
The famed British explorer Ernest Shackleton now joins the burgeoning ranks of leadership models as Margot Morrell, a financial representative with Fidelity Investments and Stephanie Capparell, a Wall Street Journal writer resurrect the Antarctic hero with encomiums and paeans.
For the unsuspecting, Shackleton is the very stuff of legends. An indefatigable man of the sea, he pulled off what arguably has to be the greatest ever polar escapes. When his ill-fated ship, Endurance was first hemmed in by unrelenting blocks of ice before ultimately breaking up in front of the crew, Shackleton not only ensured that the morale of his men remained intact, but also promised them that he would lead each man to safety. And he more than made good his word. Pulling off what can only be termed an extraordinary feat of human resilience and endurance, he along with a handful of his crew sailed in the boat James Caird to the nearest whaling station located many miles away from where the crew was stranded. Not bothering about either his physical state or mental fatigue, Shackleton proceeded to borrow a ship, coming back to the rescue of his thankful men.
Reconstructing Shackleton’s diary entries, interviewing management, business as well as scientific experts and bringing on their own experience, Ms. Morrell ad Capparell come out with a guide/checklist based on ‘Shackletonian’ values and principles. The fact that Ms. Morrell has studied Shackleton for a decade and a half must not have hurt either.
The authors also supplement their own words of wisdom with the views of a select few business leaders such as include the insights of a handful of modern-day leaders, including James Cramer, of TheStreet.com. As explained by the authors subsequent to the loss of the Endurance, the twenty-seven members of the crew were forced to camp inside makeshift tents on tenuous, shifting blocks of ice. It was during this crucial time that Shackleton brought all of his wit, wisdom and determination to bear. Making the men responsible for their ow fates and ensuring that they grasped the enormity of the tasks on hand, he also put into motion a concrete rescue mission that involved amongst other aspects, the men keeping themselves fit and in good humour. He never allowed the spirits of even a single man to either wither, wane or waver.
Keeping his men engaged in various forms of activities from playing the banjo to celebrating Christmas, Shackleton was the epitome of hope and optimism. Using psychological tactics that would have made even Freud proud, Shackleton ensured that nay sayers and prophets of doom were always in the near vicinity and proximity of the leader himself. This tactic not only ensured that the skeptics slowly turned around to embrace Shackleton’s views, but also there was no transmission of negative feelings and /or acrimony.
Shackleton never indulged in petty politics or blame games. The buck always stopped with him and he assumed total responsibility over the well-being and action of his crew. And as
To quote Nancy F. Koehn a historian and professor of business administration at the Harvard Business School who reviewed the book in the New York Times. “As soon as I first read about Shackleton, I was struck by how critical a leader’s personal commitment to his or her mission is,” said Lynne Greene, global president of the beauty brands Clinique, Origins and Ojon, part of the Estée Lauder Companies.
Shackleton also identified, evaluated and approved his crew with great meticulousness and caution. “Science or seamanship weighs little against the kind of chaps they were,” he is famously said to have remarked. Hence a person with a sense of humour secured his place on the endurance as did another who made it on time to an interview on a weekend in battering rain after having had to change multiple trains.
Every Chapter in Shackleton’s way is succeeded by a real life story where the protagonist based his success on the Shackleton Way. For example, Astronaut James Lovell of the disastrous Apollo 13 flight states, “I think Shackleton took the same attitude we took on Apollo 13: You have to look forward as long as there is a chance,” Harvard Business School graduate Luke O’Neill who christened his nonprofit school network Shackleton Schools told the Wall Street Journal “Never give up, don’t be afraid to lead, follow your gut and remember, it’s about people.”
Shackleton’s Way – a fitting tribute to a towering leader.
For the unsuspecting, Shackleton is the very stuff of legends. An indefatigable man of the sea, he pulled off what arguably has to be the greatest ever polar escapes. When his ill-fated ship, Endurance was first hemmed in by unrelenting blocks of ice before ultimately breaking up in front of the crew, Shackleton not only ensured that the morale of his men remained intact, but also promised them that he would lead each man to safety. And he more than made good his word. Pulling off what can only be termed an extraordinary feat of human resilience and endurance, he along with a handful of his crew sailed in the boat James Caird to the nearest whaling station located many miles away from where the crew was stranded. Not bothering about either his physical state or mental fatigue, Shackleton proceeded to borrow a ship, coming back to the rescue of his thankful men.
Reconstructing Shackleton’s diary entries, interviewing management, business as well as scientific experts and bringing on their own experience, Ms. Morrell ad Capparell come out with a guide/checklist based on ‘Shackletonian’ values and principles. The fact that Ms. Morrell has studied Shackleton for a decade and a half must not have hurt either.
The authors also supplement their own words of wisdom with the views of a select few business leaders such as include the insights of a handful of modern-day leaders, including James Cramer, of TheStreet.com. As explained by the authors subsequent to the loss of the Endurance, the twenty-seven members of the crew were forced to camp inside makeshift tents on tenuous, shifting blocks of ice. It was during this crucial time that Shackleton brought all of his wit, wisdom and determination to bear. Making the men responsible for their ow fates and ensuring that they grasped the enormity of the tasks on hand, he also put into motion a concrete rescue mission that involved amongst other aspects, the men keeping themselves fit and in good humour. He never allowed the spirits of even a single man to either wither, wane or waver.
Keeping his men engaged in various forms of activities from playing the banjo to celebrating Christmas, Shackleton was the epitome of hope and optimism. Using psychological tactics that would have made even Freud proud, Shackleton ensured that nay sayers and prophets of doom were always in the near vicinity and proximity of the leader himself. This tactic not only ensured that the skeptics slowly turned around to embrace Shackleton’s views, but also there was no transmission of negative feelings and /or acrimony.
Shackleton never indulged in petty politics or blame games. The buck always stopped with him and he assumed total responsibility over the well-being and action of his crew. And as
To quote Nancy F. Koehn a historian and professor of business administration at the Harvard Business School who reviewed the book in the New York Times. “As soon as I first read about Shackleton, I was struck by how critical a leader’s personal commitment to his or her mission is,” said Lynne Greene, global president of the beauty brands Clinique, Origins and Ojon, part of the Estée Lauder Companies.
Shackleton also identified, evaluated and approved his crew with great meticulousness and caution. “Science or seamanship weighs little against the kind of chaps they were,” he is famously said to have remarked. Hence a person with a sense of humour secured his place on the endurance as did another who made it on time to an interview on a weekend in battering rain after having had to change multiple trains.
Every Chapter in Shackleton’s way is succeeded by a real life story where the protagonist based his success on the Shackleton Way. For example, Astronaut James Lovell of the disastrous Apollo 13 flight states, “I think Shackleton took the same attitude we took on Apollo 13: You have to look forward as long as there is a chance,” Harvard Business School graduate Luke O’Neill who christened his nonprofit school network Shackleton Schools told the Wall Street Journal “Never give up, don’t be afraid to lead, follow your gut and remember, it’s about people.”
Shackleton’s Way – a fitting tribute to a towering leader.
June 15, 2018
I generally do not like historic tales and was hesitant at first to give this book a try. A little ways into the book I was about to call it quits, but given how short it was I decided to continue. This turned out to be a great decision.
The story is told from the perspective of many people that were on the failed (if you can call it that) voyage. Bits of personal journals, interviews, etc. all combine to tell an incredibly fascinating story of personal triumph in the most dire of situations. Intertwined with this story (which could make an exciting Hollywood movie), are various leadership skills/qualities that ultimately saved many lives.
Although the story is told chronologically, each chapter is still somehow able to focus on a specific leadership lesson, which is rather impressive. Each chapter also contains a brief 1/2 page summary of these lessons.
If you're looking for a book about leadership, while also telling a riveting story, this is a must read. I particularly enjoyed the fact that these leadership lessons were not based in a business setting, but one could easily find the parallels.
The story is told from the perspective of many people that were on the failed (if you can call it that) voyage. Bits of personal journals, interviews, etc. all combine to tell an incredibly fascinating story of personal triumph in the most dire of situations. Intertwined with this story (which could make an exciting Hollywood movie), are various leadership skills/qualities that ultimately saved many lives.
Although the story is told chronologically, each chapter is still somehow able to focus on a specific leadership lesson, which is rather impressive. Each chapter also contains a brief 1/2 page summary of these lessons.
If you're looking for a book about leadership, while also telling a riveting story, this is a must read. I particularly enjoyed the fact that these leadership lessons were not based in a business setting, but one could easily find the parallels.
December 2, 2014
Shackleton was an amazing man and I appreciated how this book wove his personal accomplishments and leadership qualities with the biography of his life.
October 14, 2018
Shackleton is my new hero! Great book uncovering a new-to-me legend using the lens of modern leadership theory. Practical lessons for anyone working on a team of any kind.
February 13, 2021
More interesting in theory than in reality. I wish that the leadership lessons could have been more closely tied to Shackleton, but liked the recap of his achievements (and failures).
August 28, 2023
A really interesting account of Shackleton's remarkable journey to save the lives of his crew members, over a 2 year period after running aground on an Antarctic ice float.
The narrative is presented in a clear and well thought out manner, throughout which the writers' analysis of Shackleton's leadership qualities is seamlessly weaved.
Starting with Shackleton's upbringing, the text charts his early work on different expeditions and profiles other 'leaders', who Shackleton would ultimately contrast to. Anecdotes and diary extracts provided are often humorous, and provide a personal touch whilst reinforcing the narrative.
Each chapter finishes with a short summary of a successful person who has drawn inspiration from Shackleton's leadership, although in most cases this isn't too illuminating and offers little clarity beyond "___ was inspired by Shackleton and was subsequently successful"
It would have also been interesting to learn about the limits of Shackleton's leadership, which were hinted at but relatively unsubstantiated compared with his merits. Most would consider it "stubborn" rather than "steadfast" in nature to refuse medical attention following a heart attack
The narrative is presented in a clear and well thought out manner, throughout which the writers' analysis of Shackleton's leadership qualities is seamlessly weaved.
Starting with Shackleton's upbringing, the text charts his early work on different expeditions and profiles other 'leaders', who Shackleton would ultimately contrast to. Anecdotes and diary extracts provided are often humorous, and provide a personal touch whilst reinforcing the narrative.
Each chapter finishes with a short summary of a successful person who has drawn inspiration from Shackleton's leadership, although in most cases this isn't too illuminating and offers little clarity beyond "___ was inspired by Shackleton and was subsequently successful"
It would have also been interesting to learn about the limits of Shackleton's leadership, which were hinted at but relatively unsubstantiated compared with his merits. Most would consider it "stubborn" rather than "steadfast" in nature to refuse medical attention following a heart attack
May 12, 2020
4.5 stars. Very easy to read, walks you through a number of situations Shackleton was in during his trans-arctic expedition, and has a summary at the end of every chapter of actionable items.
July 18, 2021
...everyone would benefit from reading this!
February 2, 2025
Perfectly fine, memorable book. I read it for school.
January 13, 2022
A friend recommended this book, which I promptly added to my wish list. With no prior knowledge of Shackleton I dove into this book not knowing what to expect. I have read numerous books on the topic of leadership. After finishing this book I can say that this is hands down one of my top 5 books on leadership. A must read for anyone wanting to improve their leadership skills.
July 2, 2023
I enjoyed this book. I would recommend it. The principles are difficult to apply if you’re reading this for self-help and leadership development, however. The principles don’t quite stick for me due to the biographical structure of the book. The title presents itself as a leadership lesson which may be why my expectations where misaligned when I started reading it. As a biography it’s an inspiring read.
October 19, 2012
The best thing about this book was the font in which it was printed. Versailles. It was beautiful and so airy and easy to read. But enough about that.
Shackleton's Way is about the famous Antarctic explorer at the beginning of the 20th century. He goes down in history as a great leader and is often referenced in leadership talks and seminars. This book acts as both a biography and a leadership book. It fails at both.
The book is set up like this: (1) leadership lessons as headings such as "Shackleton matched personality types with work responsibilities" and "Shackleton never pointed out the weak links in his crew;" (2) a short vignette demonstrating that lesson; (3) a list of the lessons learned for each chapter; and (4) a section titled "Working It In" at the end of each chapter that discussed how a present day leader was inspired by Shackleton. The problem with this format is that it breaks up the story. It would've been much better if the story had been told and reflected upon rather than broken into such little chunks. It was disruptive. Then there were the lessons themselves. The authors were so concerned with making everything Shackleton did a leadership lesson (because they were constricted by their own formatting) that they got a tad trite.
There is a great story here. There are also some great lessons to be learned. This format accomplished neither particularly well. And by the authors' account, Shackleton did everything perfectly; he had been a god among men. It got a little tiring reading a story about a man with no flaws.
Shackleton's Way is about the famous Antarctic explorer at the beginning of the 20th century. He goes down in history as a great leader and is often referenced in leadership talks and seminars. This book acts as both a biography and a leadership book. It fails at both.
The book is set up like this: (1) leadership lessons as headings such as "Shackleton matched personality types with work responsibilities" and "Shackleton never pointed out the weak links in his crew;" (2) a short vignette demonstrating that lesson; (3) a list of the lessons learned for each chapter; and (4) a section titled "Working It In" at the end of each chapter that discussed how a present day leader was inspired by Shackleton. The problem with this format is that it breaks up the story. It would've been much better if the story had been told and reflected upon rather than broken into such little chunks. It was disruptive. Then there were the lessons themselves. The authors were so concerned with making everything Shackleton did a leadership lesson (because they were constricted by their own formatting) that they got a tad trite.
There is a great story here. There are also some great lessons to be learned. This format accomplished neither particularly well. And by the authors' account, Shackleton did everything perfectly; he had been a god among men. It got a little tiring reading a story about a man with no flaws.
September 19, 2019
Took me 6 months to finish this, but Shackleton is definitely worth studying. It doesn't matter so much that you read this cover to cover, but at the very least read the end of chapter summaries with applications of how executives/leaders today are applying the model of leadership Shackleton set. Lots of nuggets to remember; my favorite quote is, "Optimism is true moral courage." The last two paragraphs of this book really drove the whole point of how well Shackleton led: He never achieved many of his goals, yet he is admired today because of his relentless drive to push forward, remain optimistic, be energetic and courageous and prioritize camaraderie. I would recommend to start learning about Shackleton by watching the short Netflix documentary series called Chasing Shackleton, and pursue your study of him from there if your interest is piqued.
Read
March 26, 2016Easy-to-read, memorable and inspiring.
October 14, 2021
Nice book on leadership. I liked the story telling style of the author.
April 24, 2025
Shackleton’s Way has an interesting premise exploring the history of Ernest Shackleton’s life and the survival of the Endurance expedition, set against modern leadership lessons that can be applied across different areas of business. The Endurance saga is undoubtedly an incredible survival story (from enduring a year stuck in the frozen ice floes, to surviving five days at sea in rickety lifeboats, to making the hail-mary open-boat and overland journeys across treacherous waters and uncharted mountain ranges in search of rescue) and Shackleton’s leadership was definitely one of the biggest reasons why the entire crew of the Endurance was able to survive this ordeal. This leadership was progressive for the time period, and business leaders today can look to Shackleton as an example of how they can drive positive outcomes and treat the leadership lessons discussed in this book as affirmations of more academic/study-driven best practices. I found the reading experience of the book to be a bit mixed, where I would have loved a deeper dive into the Shackleton/Endurance history and/or more expansive real-world business case applications of the lessons being brought forth. It covers a great story and does well to draw out the modern business parallels, but feels like it is only scratching the surface and could have gone even deeper. For me, I think the biggest takeaway was that Shackleton’s actions during the Endurance expedition are held up as the model of great leadership, despite the fact that he failed to reach nearly every goal he initially set for that expedition (lost his ship, didn’t reach Antarctica, failed to make the South Pole, etc). It is instead, his ability to adapt to changing circumstances and lead during a time of extreme crisis, where he was able to overcome and successfully accomplish a set of even more improbable goals (in terms of maintaining unity of the crew, while fighting for survival). I think the lessons drawn out in the book around developing a strong team (in terms of taking time and not making change for the sake of change, keeping employees well informed, breaking down hierarchies/cliques by cross-training employees and having different team members work together, and always being willing to chip-in with no assignments being beneath the leader) and the lessons around getting that team through an extreme crisis (in terms of effective and confident communications, removing layers of bureaucracy and authority, keeping any wildcard employees close to you as leader, giving the team plenty of time to digest the idea when making an unpopular decision, and not looking backwards at decisions that can’t be changed) were the most profound modern day business takeaways in the book. There is something ironic about how so much of business leadership today is knowing when to use “all hands on deck” or when something is “on your radar”, when leaders could simply look 100 years in the past and learns a lot from the hard wrung lessons of Shackleton.
January 10, 2020
This book is about the polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. It mainly focuses on the traits he had as a leader, which made him save his crew in the Endurance Expedition (1914-1916). If the reader of this review is not familiar with this Expedition, then here is a short summary:
The expedition was an attempt to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent. So Shackleton and his crew (28 in total) had their ship stuck in the South Pole by the ice. Eventually, after drifting on the ice for many months, the ship got crushed by the pressure of the ice. He used three lifeboats to sail to the Elephant Islands, a remote piece of land located near the South Pole. Then, he took with him 5 people in a small lifeboat and made an incredible journey through the rough seas to bring help to save the men in the Elephant Island. He sailed a total of 800 miles to reach South Georgia Island located south of the America Continent. He landed the wrong side of the Island and had to cross the huge mountains to reach the other side where there was a whaling station. To cut the story short, Shackleton managed to bring help and got his all men saved. If you are interested to read about this incredible voyage-, I suggest you read: South: The Endurance Expedition by Ernest Shackleton.
Anyway, this book is not about the Endurance expedition but rather focuses on Shackleton himself. What specific skills did Shackleton have which enabled him to be the greatest example of leadership? Shackleton was a master of psychology… you rarely find in history a guy who has this skill in such a high level. He knew exactly how to choose his crew and understood what is going on mentally in every one of them. Shackleton was also an absolute optimist! Even after seeing his ship crushed by the ice, he kept his optimistic attitude although he knew deep inside that his survival along with his men is nearly impossible. He knew that if the boss (as they used to call him) kept this attitude the moral of his men would be high. He is also a very detail planner, he had a plan for everything and was so flexible that he can change them almost instantly. One thing I marveled about was his way of keeping his men sanity. He just kept them busy. That was it! Everybody had a task and the tasks rotated among the crew to break the routine. He reasoned that: if you keep the mind of a man busy, you save him from breaking down-which by the way I totally agree with. Other traits discussed in Shackleton leadership are compaction, his ability to listen deeply, his risk-taking, self-sacrifice, and many other skills.
So, this is what the book about.. and in fact, I liked it a lot
The expedition was an attempt to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent. So Shackleton and his crew (28 in total) had their ship stuck in the South Pole by the ice. Eventually, after drifting on the ice for many months, the ship got crushed by the pressure of the ice. He used three lifeboats to sail to the Elephant Islands, a remote piece of land located near the South Pole. Then, he took with him 5 people in a small lifeboat and made an incredible journey through the rough seas to bring help to save the men in the Elephant Island. He sailed a total of 800 miles to reach South Georgia Island located south of the America Continent. He landed the wrong side of the Island and had to cross the huge mountains to reach the other side where there was a whaling station. To cut the story short, Shackleton managed to bring help and got his all men saved. If you are interested to read about this incredible voyage-, I suggest you read: South: The Endurance Expedition by Ernest Shackleton.
Anyway, this book is not about the Endurance expedition but rather focuses on Shackleton himself. What specific skills did Shackleton have which enabled him to be the greatest example of leadership? Shackleton was a master of psychology… you rarely find in history a guy who has this skill in such a high level. He knew exactly how to choose his crew and understood what is going on mentally in every one of them. Shackleton was also an absolute optimist! Even after seeing his ship crushed by the ice, he kept his optimistic attitude although he knew deep inside that his survival along with his men is nearly impossible. He knew that if the boss (as they used to call him) kept this attitude the moral of his men would be high. He is also a very detail planner, he had a plan for everything and was so flexible that he can change them almost instantly. One thing I marveled about was his way of keeping his men sanity. He just kept them busy. That was it! Everybody had a task and the tasks rotated among the crew to break the routine. He reasoned that: if you keep the mind of a man busy, you save him from breaking down-which by the way I totally agree with. Other traits discussed in Shackleton leadership are compaction, his ability to listen deeply, his risk-taking, self-sacrifice, and many other skills.
So, this is what the book about.. and in fact, I liked it a lot
August 12, 2024
The analysis of Shackleton's leadership is well done. The author clearly did a lot of work reading the various diaries of the Endurance crew. It's a nice, albeit short, biography of Shackleton the man, too. In short, Shackleton was a very rare person of incredible leadership skill. He was empathetic and went to incredible, superhuman lengths for his team. We would all be so lucky to have a supervisor or manager like him.
The issue I have with this book is that it is geared towards leadership in Business with a capital B, in 2001. There are certain axioms of the time that no longer hold and seem quaint now. For example, the idea that capitalism and democracy must necessarily go together. In fact, both history and modern life (2024) make clear that businesses will gladly support depots and authoritarian rule if it means more profit. The idea that CEOs and managers at large give two figs for their employees the way Shackleton cared for his crew is laughable. The book mis/places great hope on the then up and coming IT gurus, that they would treat their employees well. Nope, from Elon Musk allowing actual swastikas in his Tesla factories to Jeff Bezos working his Amazon employees to death, and the ample evidence, through polls and interviews, that IT management across the industry is ambivalent or indeed contemptuous of democracy, this book is way off the mark in this regard. It has a rose-tinted view of the corporate world that Shackleton I feel would not have agreed with. Indeed, the Boss himself was a noted liberal of the pro-worker left! His son carried on the tradition as a member of the Labour Party! I like the desire of this book to want the corporate world to be like Shackleton, but if they really want that, they would need to completely overhaul the system they swim in, becoming way more pro-worker (unionization) and layoffs would become a thing of the past. People before profits, a true lesson from Shackleton!
The issue I have with this book is that it is geared towards leadership in Business with a capital B, in 2001. There are certain axioms of the time that no longer hold and seem quaint now. For example, the idea that capitalism and democracy must necessarily go together. In fact, both history and modern life (2024) make clear that businesses will gladly support depots and authoritarian rule if it means more profit. The idea that CEOs and managers at large give two figs for their employees the way Shackleton cared for his crew is laughable. The book mis/places great hope on the then up and coming IT gurus, that they would treat their employees well. Nope, from Elon Musk allowing actual swastikas in his Tesla factories to Jeff Bezos working his Amazon employees to death, and the ample evidence, through polls and interviews, that IT management across the industry is ambivalent or indeed contemptuous of democracy, this book is way off the mark in this regard. It has a rose-tinted view of the corporate world that Shackleton I feel would not have agreed with. Indeed, the Boss himself was a noted liberal of the pro-worker left! His son carried on the tradition as a member of the Labour Party! I like the desire of this book to want the corporate world to be like Shackleton, but if they really want that, they would need to completely overhaul the system they swim in, becoming way more pro-worker (unionization) and layoffs would become a thing of the past. People before profits, a true lesson from Shackleton!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2021
General Overview
A whistle-stop tour through the adventures of Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, Shackleton's Way is a brilliantly short, yet insightful look at what is is to be human, and to lead.
Style
Broken down into a half chronology, half subject based order, Margot Morrell has written this book to highlight, in a relatable fashion, the key lessons any modern leader or manager can take away from Sir E.H. Shackleton. The summaries at the ends of each chapters bring these lessons home in as clear a fashion as possible.
The use of modern day examples of the successful who have learnt from Sir E.H. Shackleton are also great at bringing the lessons home. The deeds of this man and his crew are incredible, and almost beyond what people could imagine. To take this titanic deeds down to the relatable, is as much the skill of the writer, as to the humility and humanity of the great man himself.
Story
Covering the early life of Sir E.H. Shackleton, his first few voyages, and the one that made him famous; The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, this book covers all he and his men went through.
This is not a lengthy tome with similar detail. That which is included, exerts from the crew and Sir E.H. Shackleton's diaries add nothing but value, but they are there to reaffirm the points on leadership that the book pushes forward.
I must say this is one of the best laid out and told books covering what it is to be a good leader, and how to inspire a team.
Final Thoughts
A must read for any leaders at any level, this book will be the springboard I need to go on to read more of Sir E.H. Shackleton.
A whistle-stop tour through the adventures of Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, Shackleton's Way is a brilliantly short, yet insightful look at what is is to be human, and to lead.
Style
Broken down into a half chronology, half subject based order, Margot Morrell has written this book to highlight, in a relatable fashion, the key lessons any modern leader or manager can take away from Sir E.H. Shackleton. The summaries at the ends of each chapters bring these lessons home in as clear a fashion as possible.
The use of modern day examples of the successful who have learnt from Sir E.H. Shackleton are also great at bringing the lessons home. The deeds of this man and his crew are incredible, and almost beyond what people could imagine. To take this titanic deeds down to the relatable, is as much the skill of the writer, as to the humility and humanity of the great man himself.
Story
Covering the early life of Sir E.H. Shackleton, his first few voyages, and the one that made him famous; The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, this book covers all he and his men went through.
This is not a lengthy tome with similar detail. That which is included, exerts from the crew and Sir E.H. Shackleton's diaries add nothing but value, but they are there to reaffirm the points on leadership that the book pushes forward.
I must say this is one of the best laid out and told books covering what it is to be a good leader, and how to inspire a team.
Final Thoughts
A must read for any leaders at any level, this book will be the springboard I need to go on to read more of Sir E.H. Shackleton.
June 26, 2020
This is a pretty interesting book. What struck me the most was how Sir Ernest Shackleton paid attention to the totality of the crew... that is not just the mission, the tasks, logicistics, and the men but the crew as a whole. For instance, in a relationship there are 3 parties to consider: the two individuals and the relationship.
This is said a variety of ways, such that Shackleton had "male" and "female" qualities, or that he was both coach and quarterback... essentially he seemed able to subordinate himself as an individual and put each crew member above himself. He controlled the mood, not signaling one member out in front of everyone for negative behaviors. The eye on the entire team required that he knew something of each man's task but he also knew the limits, such as where he deferred to other's expertise in certain areas rather than attempting to control it all. He also rotated tasks so that each man knew something of what needed to be done by others so that cliques of sailors or scientists wouldn't crystalize. This is a unique approach, one that served the high stakes of the mission involved.
This is ultimately an inspirational tale although in today's everyday "low" stakes world, we have less pressure and thus less need to consider how we all fit together. Perhaps this is why despite Shackleton's promises to his family he continually abandoned them to go on these extreme excursions.
This is said a variety of ways, such that Shackleton had "male" and "female" qualities, or that he was both coach and quarterback... essentially he seemed able to subordinate himself as an individual and put each crew member above himself. He controlled the mood, not signaling one member out in front of everyone for negative behaviors. The eye on the entire team required that he knew something of each man's task but he also knew the limits, such as where he deferred to other's expertise in certain areas rather than attempting to control it all. He also rotated tasks so that each man knew something of what needed to be done by others so that cliques of sailors or scientists wouldn't crystalize. This is a unique approach, one that served the high stakes of the mission involved.
This is ultimately an inspirational tale although in today's everyday "low" stakes world, we have less pressure and thus less need to consider how we all fit together. Perhaps this is why despite Shackleton's promises to his family he continually abandoned them to go on these extreme excursions.
March 31, 2020
I found this book gave me some perspective during this crazy time of the coronavirus and being quarantined in the same place for a seemingly, long period of time. It is easy to complain about the empty grocery shelves and the lack of cleaning supplies but could you be in this situation full of happiness and have no complaints? Our situation pales in comparison to being stranded in Antarctica with minimal supplies, no technology, no communication with the outside world, none of the luxuries we are accustomed too, and oh, no one knows you are stranded. How long would be able to stay happy and not complain? If you were a leader in that situation, how long could you keep up morale? One day? One month? One year? Could you do if for the two years they were stranded?
This is an incredible story of the will to overcome all odds and be happy about dire situations. It puts in perspective some of the daily luxuries that we complain about. But it is also a story about great leadership. How to keep morale up, how to build teams, how to create organizational efficiency, and more, can all be learned through the example of Shackleton’s leadership.
I’m not saying that this book makes it easier to be happier or be a better leader but what it does do is inspires you to want to live a happier life and want to be a better leader.
This is an incredible story of the will to overcome all odds and be happy about dire situations. It puts in perspective some of the daily luxuries that we complain about. But it is also a story about great leadership. How to keep morale up, how to build teams, how to create organizational efficiency, and more, can all be learned through the example of Shackleton’s leadership.
I’m not saying that this book makes it easier to be happier or be a better leader but what it does do is inspires you to want to live a happier life and want to be a better leader.
Read
August 10, 2022Have you ever been stuck 1,200 miles out at see in below freezing tempatures? Well Sir Ernest Shackleton and 27 other men have and they have also survived. Margot Morrel and Stephanie's book, Shackletons Way, is a book on how a man used his leadership skills to save himself and 27 other men from dying in Antarctica. Sir Ernest Shackleton was a very careing, kind, and a very well rounded man. Most importantly he was a man who had the skills of being a leader. Anything from being a "Brother" to others at school or leading 27 other men out of the depths of Antarctica. He could do anything that required leadership. The Thought of the ups and down in this book is what makes it so great. The plot is a very evenly distribueted plot talking about anything from being stranded in the middle of nowhere to getting married and having three kids. A good example of this is in the introduction when the author talks about how he came to be Shackleton. The idea of real human beings being stuck 1,200 miles out in Antarctica is unbelieveable. This one thought alone made the whole book suspenceful. One example of suspence is when Orde-Lees gets sick and the reader has no idea whats going to happen next. This is a book that everyone should read. It has a lot of life lessons in it and is a great book overall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2021
What an incredibly well written analysis of effective leadership from the account of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s failed 1914 Antarctic expedition. His optimism, discipline, and leadership savvy has been credited with getting his crew of 28 back home after surviving for a year and a half stranded at sea and on ice. Each chapter examines an aspect of Shackleton’s leadership style, suffixed by a modern leader’s application of those same principles in their own life.
Leaders in any capacity, whether volunteer, corporate, sports, or political, would gain a great deal of wisdom by reading this book.
Shackleton shared the following: “Some people say it is wrong to regard life as a game; I don't think so. Life to me means the greatest of all games. The danger lies in treating it as a trivial game, a game to be taken lightly, and a game in which the rules don't matter much. The rules matter a great deal. The game has to be played fairly, or it is no game at all. And even to win the game is not the chief end. The chief end is to win it honorably and splendidly. To this chief end several things are necessary. Loyalty is one. Discipline is another. Unselfishness is another. Courage is another. Optimism is another. And Chivalry is another.”
Leaders in any capacity, whether volunteer, corporate, sports, or political, would gain a great deal of wisdom by reading this book.
Shackleton shared the following: “Some people say it is wrong to regard life as a game; I don't think so. Life to me means the greatest of all games. The danger lies in treating it as a trivial game, a game to be taken lightly, and a game in which the rules don't matter much. The rules matter a great deal. The game has to be played fairly, or it is no game at all. And even to win the game is not the chief end. The chief end is to win it honorably and splendidly. To this chief end several things are necessary. Loyalty is one. Discipline is another. Unselfishness is another. Courage is another. Optimism is another. And Chivalry is another.”
December 31, 2021
Esse livro é perfeito em tantas formas que, agora ao terminar, eu nem consigo colocar em palavras quantas lições aprendi durante a leitura.
Indico muito a leitura a quem está estudando gestão e liderança, além daqueles que procuram sempre melhorar aspectos pessoais de enfrentamento das adversidades da vida.
Vou colocar aqui uma das falas de Schackleton que foi citada na no final do livro:
"Algumas pessoas dizem que é errado encarar a vida como um jogo, eu não acho. A vida é para mim o maior de todos os jogos. O perigo está em tratá-la como um jogo trivial, um jogo que não se leva a sério, é um jogo em que as regras não são muito importantes. As regras importam um bocado. O jogo tem de ser jogado com honestidade, ou deixa de ser jogo. E até mesmo ganhar o jogo não é a finalidade principal. A finalidade principal é ganhar de maneira honrada e magnífica. Para tanto, São necessárias várias coisas. Lealdade é uma delas. Disciplina é outra. Desprendimento é outra. Coragem é outra. Otimismo é mais uma. E cavalheirismo é outra ainda."
Outra frase maravilhosa, acho que minha preferida:
"Um homem precisa se voltar para um novo alvo assim que o antigo vai ao chão."
Recomendo demais esse livro!
Indico muito a leitura a quem está estudando gestão e liderança, além daqueles que procuram sempre melhorar aspectos pessoais de enfrentamento das adversidades da vida.
Vou colocar aqui uma das falas de Schackleton que foi citada na no final do livro:
"Algumas pessoas dizem que é errado encarar a vida como um jogo, eu não acho. A vida é para mim o maior de todos os jogos. O perigo está em tratá-la como um jogo trivial, um jogo que não se leva a sério, é um jogo em que as regras não são muito importantes. As regras importam um bocado. O jogo tem de ser jogado com honestidade, ou deixa de ser jogo. E até mesmo ganhar o jogo não é a finalidade principal. A finalidade principal é ganhar de maneira honrada e magnífica. Para tanto, São necessárias várias coisas. Lealdade é uma delas. Disciplina é outra. Desprendimento é outra. Coragem é outra. Otimismo é mais uma. E cavalheirismo é outra ainda."
Outra frase maravilhosa, acho que minha preferida:
"Um homem precisa se voltar para um novo alvo assim que o antigo vai ao chão."
Recomendo demais esse livro!
May 15, 2024
What a man. Sir Ernest Shackleton is the best example of a futuristic leader. And for him to display these characteristics in early 1900's really sets the standard.
I'm not giving Shackleton and arguably one of the best success stories a three stars. I'm giving the format of this novel three stars. I was expecting some sort of biography, but I was hoping for more detail about the exploration. Maybe along the lines of part auto-biography. First hand, emotional, detailed accounts of what happened down there.
That aside, there were quotes and/or lines that really resonated with me. Here are three since that's our rating today:
pg. 18 "...I have committed all sorts of crimes in thought if not always in action and don't worry much about it, yet I hate to see a child suffer, or to be false in any way."
pg. 79 " If you surround yourself with pessimists you're doomed to failure in business. They are the voices you can't let in your head. If you listen to the pessimists you'll make the wrong decision or be so confused and so befuddled you'll lose the emotional energy you need."
pg.87 "...I think nothing of the world and the public; they cheer you one minute and howl you down the next. It is what one is oneself and what one makes of one's life that matters."
I'm not giving Shackleton and arguably one of the best success stories a three stars. I'm giving the format of this novel three stars. I was expecting some sort of biography, but I was hoping for more detail about the exploration. Maybe along the lines of part auto-biography. First hand, emotional, detailed accounts of what happened down there.
That aside, there were quotes and/or lines that really resonated with me. Here are three since that's our rating today:
pg. 18 "...I have committed all sorts of crimes in thought if not always in action and don't worry much about it, yet I hate to see a child suffer, or to be false in any way."
pg. 79 " If you surround yourself with pessimists you're doomed to failure in business. They are the voices you can't let in your head. If you listen to the pessimists you'll make the wrong decision or be so confused and so befuddled you'll lose the emotional energy you need."
pg.87 "...I think nothing of the world and the public; they cheer you one minute and howl you down the next. It is what one is oneself and what one makes of one's life that matters."
April 25, 2018
I read this book many, many years ago and it remains my firm favourite on the art of leadership and team building.
If you don't know the story of Ernest Shackleton, he was a repeat Polar Explorer of the frenzy for the pole at the start of the 20th Century, his voyages meant pulling together disparate teams of men (and dogs) to explore the most hostile environments on earth, with the potential for things to go very wrong indeed.
This book takes us through the lessons that Shackleton can teach us through the ages following his epic feat in saving, then rescuing his team from certain death following the loss of his ship 'Endurance' on his attempt at the South Pole. His mix of push and pull and his devotion to his team stand as testament to him, and this book is great in drawing contemporary learning points.
If you don't know the story of Ernest Shackleton, he was a repeat Polar Explorer of the frenzy for the pole at the start of the 20th Century, his voyages meant pulling together disparate teams of men (and dogs) to explore the most hostile environments on earth, with the potential for things to go very wrong indeed.
This book takes us through the lessons that Shackleton can teach us through the ages following his epic feat in saving, then rescuing his team from certain death following the loss of his ship 'Endurance' on his attempt at the South Pole. His mix of push and pull and his devotion to his team stand as testament to him, and this book is great in drawing contemporary learning points.
Read
March 12, 2020Shackletons way , a book by Margot Morrell it is a book about a rescue in the antarctic. At first, the leader of this adventure failed once but this time he was encouraged of going back and trying again. The first book was published 22 years ago. This book starts with a leader that wants to recover what he failed years ago. What they do is that they drove in a big boat all over the world to the nitric to save people that couldn't come back from an adventure they had so this people went to save them.They passed very difficult moments like getting stucked in ice and some tragical moments but the end is even better. I liked this book but is was a little bit confusing, so I will give this a 8.9 out of 10. To conclude, people that like adventure and suspense book should read this because it would be awesome for them.
September 12, 2022
This book reached deep down into my soul and gave me the hug I've needed for so many years. I've been in management off and on for over 15 years and always heard from co-workers and upper management about how odd I was, that I wasn't a good enough manager because they didn't think people would listen to me, etc.
More of Shackleton's views on how one should be a manager/ leader fall exactly in line with what I believe. It's to the point that I want to buy a copy of this book for all my old managers and have them read it.
If you are looking to be an outstanding leader, not a manager, but a real leader to people and inspire them. READ THIS BOOK!!
If you want to ever be in any form of leadership.. READ THIS BOOK!!!
I own in on audiobook and paperback, both are great, but the audio made the store come more to life for me.
More of Shackleton's views on how one should be a manager/ leader fall exactly in line with what I believe. It's to the point that I want to buy a copy of this book for all my old managers and have them read it.
If you are looking to be an outstanding leader, not a manager, but a real leader to people and inspire them. READ THIS BOOK!!
If you want to ever be in any form of leadership.. READ THIS BOOK!!!
I own in on audiobook and paperback, both are great, but the audio made the store come more to life for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews