Ernest Shakleton

After watching the film, Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure, it felt as if I just watched a film based on a fiction novel. To watch the continuous efforts of one man putting everything he had into keeping his men safe, healthy, and alive was almost implausible. Earnest Shackleton’s accomplishments, especially during the time he did it, will stand the test of time. It was his tremendous leadership skills which aided him with the success of not only reaching safety, but keeping 27 men content enough to continue to want to follow him. Kouzes and Posner provided us with six disciplines for earning and sustaining credibility. Earnest Shackleton demonstrated these disciplines during his monumental journey. The first of these disciplines is titled discover your self. “Confidence in one’s abilities, especially in uncertain and challenging situations, is crucial to sustaining credibility.” (James M. Kouzes, 2011) Shackleton demonstrated this well before even stepping foot onto the Endurance. He did this when posting his recruitment notice which read: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.” (WGBH, 2001) He knew the risks involved, and by not hiding these, showed the men that he was putting his health and life on the line foremost. “People do not voluntarily follow the direction of someone they believe is disingenuous, someone blindly unaware of personal limitations, or someone who is consciously lying to gain favor or influence.” (James M. Kouzes, 2011) By not being deceitful or promising fame, he received crew members who were there for the purpose. The next discipline that was discussed was to appreciate constituents. No appreciated their team more than Shackleton. His servant style leadership almost made it appear that he was their crew member, not the other way around. The crew was very diverse in job positions. There