What does it take to win at the reality television game, Survivor? Outwit, outlast, outplay are the words that underscore the program’s logo. Are these words that could describe leadership? Do these words describe Sir Ernest Shackleton, Antarctic explorer? In the Survivor series, the winners have been forthright, honest, self-confident, collaborative, self-centered, team centered, manipulative, independent, creative and charismatic. Some might say they were just plain lucky. Sir Ernest Shackleton could be described by many of these characteristics and more. The question remaining is how did his leadership style allow him outwit, outplay and outlast for nearly two years to survive. Not only did he survive, but he also brought a team of twenty eight other men to a
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It was after the Endurance had been abandoned and the crew made camp on the ice in October 1915 that there were signs of underhandedness from Shackleton and his commanders. “There was some crooked work in the drawing,” able seaman Bakewell wrote, “as Sir Ernest, Mr. Wild...Captain Worsley and some of the other officers all drew wool [sleeping] bags. The fine warm fur bags all went to the men under them” (WGBH Enterprises, 2001). Instead of showing preference to those in command, the preference was to make sure the crew was provided for. Again, Shackleton proved this on the first morning on the ice pack by preparing and serving hot milk to his men (Koehn, 2010); putting the crew’s needs above all else.
Acts of servant leadership, redistribution and equalization in duties of the crew and skilled men on board and his optimism were among the maneuvers Shackleton employed, endearing him to his crew. He knew swift discipline, an upbeat disposition in hard times and a calm demeanor would prevent dissension among the ranks.
It was after the Endurance had been abandoned and the crew made camp on the ice in October 1915 that there were signs of underhandedness from Shackleton and his commanders. “There was some crooked work in the drawing,” able seaman Bakewell wrote, “as Sir Ernest, Mr. Wild...Captain Worsley and some of the other officers all drew wool [sleeping] bags. The fine warm fur bags all went to the men under them” (WGBH Enterprises, 2001). Instead of showing preference to those in command, the preference was to make sure the crew was provided for. Again, Shackleton proved this on the first morning on the ice pack by preparing and serving hot milk to his men (Koehn, 2010); putting the crew’s needs above all else.
Acts of servant leadership, redistribution and equalization in duties of the crew and skilled men on board and his optimism were among the maneuvers Shackleton employed, endearing him to his crew. He knew swift discipline, an upbeat disposition in hard times and a calm demeanor would prevent dissension among the ranks.