I never get tired of reading about Antartic explorer Ernest Shackleton. Lots of book have been written about his trip to Antartica aboard The Endurance and his struggle to bring each of his men back alive. The latest book I read is called, Shackleton’s Way by Margot Morrell and Stephanie Capparell.
This book talks about Sir Ernest’s leadership abilities; he has been called a "successful failure".
"He has been called the greatest leader that ever came on G-d’s earth…yet he never led a group larger than 27, he failed to reach nearly every goal he ever set and until recently was little remembered after his death…"
What I most admire about Shackleton was that he was brave and courageous but never took stupid risks with his men’s lives. "He decided that the stated goals, however noble, were not worth the such misery and carnage. Better a live donkey than a dead lion…people came first. He always chose to live another day to conquer another, even bigger goal."
They go on in the book to say: "Shackelton never planted a flag at the South Pole, he never made many of the goals and he never earned all the money he wanted. Yet he was doing what he wanted to do and he did it well enought to earn a place in history. His workplace was creative, productive, and enjoyable. He accomplished big things because he encouraged the full participation of every member of his team."
One thing disappointing in the book that I learned was that the famous quote that Shackleton put in the newspaper looking for a crew (which until very recently, I used in my speeches) never happened:
"Men wanted for Hazardous Journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness.Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success."
According to the authors, no copy of this ad has ever been found…