March 10, 2022
Forbes recently published insight featuring Moshe Cohen, Senior Lecturer in management and organizations, discussing what leaders can learn from famed explorer Ernest Shackleton’s doomed journey through the Arctic.
The recent discovery of Shackleton’s ship, Endurance, has brought the spotlight back to the brave explorer’s leadership skills that ultimately saved his crew. This article focuses on how Shackleton’s decisiveness in a crisis can translate to business leaders today and the lessons they can learn from it.
“Shackleton’s optimistic resilience and calm manner built trust and loyalty with his team.”
Moshe Cohen
Senior Lecturer in Management & Organizations
Moshe points out the role that optimism played on that journey, and how important it can be for a leader to maintain.
“Shackleton’s optimistic resilience and calm manner built trust and loyalty with his team. They followed his lead and remained hopeful for survival, even when things looked very grim. They executed his plans and worked collaboratively to survive. To them, he was ‘The Boss.’ Leaders need to remember that their teams are looking to them not just for vision but also as role models, and that their demeanor impacts their organizations.”