Leading at the Edge : Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition

277 Pages·2000·2.45 MB·English

by  Dennis N. T. Perkins

LEADING
EDGE
AT T H E
LEADING
EDGE
AT T H E
Leadership Lessons from the
Extraordinary Saga of
Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition
Dennis N. T. Perkins
with Margaret P. Holtman,
Paul R. Kessler, and Catherine McCarthy
American Management Association
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LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Perkins,DennisN.T.,1942–
Leadingattheedge:leadershiplessonsfromtheextraordinarysagaof
Shackleton’sAntarcticexpedition/DennisN.T.Perkins.
p. cm.
Includesbibliographicalreferences(p.).
ISBN0-8144-0543-6
1. Shackleton,ErnestHenry,Sir,1874–1922. 2. Leadership. 3. Strategic
planning. 4. Survivalskills. 5. Explorers—Antartica. I. Title.
HD57.7.P46 2000
658.4(cid:1)092—dc21
99-057868
(cid:2)2000DennisN.T.Perkins.
Allrightsreserved.
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.
Thispublicationmaynotbereproduced,
storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinwhole
orinpart,inanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,
photocopying,recording,orotherwise,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionof
AMACOM,adivisionofAmericanManagementAssociation,
1601Broadway,NewYork,NY10019.
Printingnumber
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To the memory of
Private First Class Louis Anthony Leatherbury,
United States Marine Corps,
and all who have gone to The Edge
in the service of others
Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Preface xiii
TheShackletonSaga 1
Part One Ten Strategies for Leading at
The Edge
1 Vision andQuickVictories:
Neverlosesightoftheultimategoal,andfocusenergy
on short-termobjectives. 15
2 SymbolismandPersonalExample:
Setapersonalexamplewithvisible,memorable
symbolsandbehaviors. 29
3 Optimism andReality:
Instill optimismandself-confidence,butstay
groundedinreality. 40
4 Stamina:
Takecareofyourself:Maintainyourstaminaandlet
goofguilt. 56
5 TheTeamMessage:
Reinforcetheteammessageconstantly:‘‘We are
one—we live ordietogether.’’ 70
6 CoreTeamValues:
Minimize statusdifferencesandinsiston courtesy
andmutualrespect. 86
7 Conflict:
Masterconflict—dealwith angerinsmalldoses,
engagedissidents,andavoidneedlesspower
struggles. 98
vii
viii Contents
8 LightenUp!
Findsomethingtocelebrateandsomethingtolaugh
about. 113
9 Risk:
Bewillingtotakethe BigRisk. 125
10 TenaciousCreativity:
Nevergiveup—there’salwaysanothermove. 139
Part Two Case Studies in Leading at
The Edge
11 Introductiontothe CaseStudies 153
12 BusinessCommunicationSystems(AT&T/
Lucent Technologies): BacktotheFuture 157
13 RiceHealthSystems:HealingaSick
Organization 170
14 WeyerhaeuserCompany:Transforminga
Culture 185
15 MaldenMills:RisingfromtheAshes 198
Part Three Continuing Your Expedition
16 LearningtoLead atTheEdge 215
17 Epilogue:A PerspectiveonSuccessandFailure 227
Part Four Resources for Leading at The Edge
Resources 233
CriticalLeadership SkillsSurvey 234
YourLeadershipExpedition:A Personal
DevelopmentPlan 241
YourLeadershipExpeditionMap 245
FurtherReadings fromTheEdge 247
Notes 251
Index 261
Acknowledgments
The experience of writing this book seemed, at times, to be some-
thing likemountingapolarexpedition.Therewas,ofcourse,less
physical hardship, and little risk of life. But the process did involve
venturing into the unknown and dealing with some fairly formidable
obstacles.Iwasfortunate tohavewithmeinthisadventureanumber
ofcolleagueswhomadeitpossibletofacethesechallengeswithaspirit
ofcreativityandcamaraderie.
I deeply appreciate the enormous contributions made by each
memberofthe‘‘BookTeam’’:PeggyHoltman,PaulKessler,andCath-
erineMcCarthy.AlthoughIhadbeenusingtheLeadingattheEdgeap-
proach for a number of years, the challenge of translating these
concepts into a readable book was not a straightforward matter. The
Book Team met regularly from the proposal stage forward, debating
everymajordecisioninvolvedinstructuringthebook.PeggyandPaul
drovelongdistancestomyofficeinConnecticut,whileCatherinepar-
ticipatedbyphonefromChicago.Thesemeetingswereoftenextended
affairs,and Isometimes worried thatCatherine wouldcarry aperma-
nentimprintofatelephoneearpiece.
Each member of the Book Team wrote initial drafts of chapters,
critiqued my work, and searched for business examples that would
illustrate key lessons of the book. Peggy Holtman was tireless—a
‘‘whirlingdervish’’—insearchingfor‘‘factoids,’’andensuringthatthe
key concepts of the book were bridged to practical organizational ap-
plications. Paul Kessler researched and wrote the Malden Mills case,
emanated optimism, and demonstrated an awesome knack for catch-
ing errors that no one else could find. Catherine McCarthy wrote the
BusinessCommunicationsSystems(AT&T/LucentTechnologies)case,
exhibited an impressive ‘‘can do’’ spirit and—at the same time—
played an important role in challenging the team’s assumptions and
keepingusfocused.
ix
x Acknowledgments
Inadditiontothesecontributions,eachmemberoftheBookTeam
also showed a willingness to practice the leadership strategies high-
lighted in the book. One of my great satisfactions in this effort is the
belief that we, as a team, did our best to practice the principles we
espoused.
Words can never fully express my appreciation for the contribu-
tion of Anna Gianitsos, my office manager and assistant. The name
Gianitsosmeans‘‘loyalwarrior,’’andAnnaembodiedthespiritofher
family name. Through month after month of the most demanding
work, Anna demonstrated an extraordinary level of dedication and
breadth of skills. She was conscientious in proof reading and fact
checking. She made substantive suggestions about the content of the
book.WhenIwasstuckonasmalldetail,Annapointedatthe‘‘count
down’’ chart that she had made showing the number of days until
the manuscriptwasdue—andI gotthemessage.Throughlatenights,
weekends,andstress-filleddays,Annaretainedherdetermination,re-
silienceandherwinningsmile.Sheandherfamilycanbejustlyproud
of her critical role in making the book a reality. Anna—S’efharisto apo
tavathitiscardiasmou.
Steve Elliott not only helped with editorial decisions, he also
servedasnavigator(myown‘‘FrankWorsley’’)insteeringthroughthe
uncharted and often turbulent waters of the publishing world. Ellen
James provided valuable editorial assistance, and wrote the Weyer-
haeuser case study. Nick Appelby expertly created the graphics, in-
cluding the map of the Endurance expedition. Marya Holcombe’s
counsel was critical in the beginning stages of the writing process as
she helped me helped me break the ice off the runners of my writing
sledge. And Becky Hoffman, of Knowledge(cid:1)Power, deserves special
recognition for her resourcefulness in finding business illustrations of
thetenstrategies.
IamgratefultoBobHeadlandoftheScottPolarResearchInstitute
for his timely fact checking, and for helping me avoid any errors that
would qualify as major ‘‘howlers.’’ I should emphasize that I am re-
sponsibleforanyremainingdiscrepancies,andthatanyconclusions—
particularlythoseconcerningRobertFalconScott—aremyown.
ThecontributionstothebookmadebyDavidNadlerandmycol-
leagues at the Delta Consulting Group were invaluable. David has
been a friend for more years than I care to remember, and has taught
me much about the art of helping organizations achieve their full po-
tential.MyfriendsatDeltahavesharedtheirtimeandexpertisegener-
ously,andIthankthemfortheirvaluableassistance.
IappreciatethesteadfastencouragementofJeffHeilpern,whohas
Acknowledgments xi
been tremendous source of support, and who helped me maintain a
healthy perspective on the process of writing and on the process of
living.VirginiaHerndonshowedanunwaveringbeliefinthebookand
its message, Martha Miller beamed support from far corners of the
globe,andDaveElliswasanimportantsourceofinspiration.
DonnaGianinideservesspecialmentionforherearlyworkinde-
velopingtheLeadingattheEdgeapproach,andforhercontinuinginno-
vation in applying the concept. Donna first coined the phrase,
‘‘Onward through the hummocks’’—a rallying cry that helped us
move through many daunting ice fields. I appreciate the ongoing en-
couragement of Diane Russ, my long-haul partner in exploring the
frontier.
IwouldliketoacknowledgetheeditorsatAMACOM,whohelped
bringthebookfromproposaltoprint.AdrienneHickeysawthepoten-
tialoftheconcept,acquiredthebook,andprovidedsuggestionsabout
its structure. Christina McLaughlin managed the complex production
and editorial processes with laughter and competence, and Karen
Brogno’s thorough copyediting of the manuscript is greatly appreci-
ated.
A number of other individuals were important in the writing of
thisbook,andeachmadeauniquecontribution.Ithankandacknowl-
edgeDeborahAncona,FrancescaCampolattero,NancyCardwell,Fred
Courtright,JackCreighton,AnthonyD’Albero,MarkEdinberg,Aaron
Feuerstein, Jo-Ann Fleishman, Peg Gilliland, Lois Grady, Andrew
Greatrex,GordonHellman,DianaHo,JoanImhof,RandyMacDonald,
Leslie Margolin, Naoko Matsunaga, Chuck Miceli, Phil Mirvis, David
Montross, Steve Moran, ReneeMurphy, Robert Ostroff, Prakash Patel,
JonathanPatrick,BillReinsmith,GailRobinson,GayleRohrbasser,Dar-
ienRoseen,PatRusso,BarrySchlosser,HaroldShapiro,TomSheehan,
Jane Sheppard, Paul Siegel, Scott Sklar, Lon Smith, Ken Stellar, Jim
Tullos,andGrantWithers.
IamgratefultoDr.EliasMarsh,whofirstgavemeacopyofLan-
sing’sEndurance,andwhoexemplifiedthespiritofexploration.AndI
thankBillGleeson,whosecourageandpresenceunderfirehelpeden-
surethatIwouldbearoundtowritethisbook.
Finally, I thank the members of my family who have supported
me through the years, and who have taught me a great deal about
leadershipandovercomingobstacles.Mydaughter,Holly,showedme
thatitispossibletorideabuckinghorsewithasmileonyourface.My
son, Jonathan, showed me that it is possible to negotiate tough white
water in a kayak with no spray skirt—and still have a good time. My
brother,Bob,keptthesupplychainintactthroughouttheexpedition.I
xii Acknowledgments
thank the ‘‘Magic Girls,’’ Meghan and Melisa, for their smiles and
courageinthe faceofadversity;andIappreciate Joe Hernandez’help
in carrying the load. Most of all, I express my deepest gratitude to
BernadetteBialczakPerkinswhosupportedmyquest,andwhoselove
andcompassionhelpedmemakeithomefromTheEdge.