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Leadership Traits You Must Have
To be successful in any industry typically requires great leadership. The tale I'm going to share . In December 1914 Sir Ernest Shackleton left for Antarctica in a boat aptly named The Endurance. Their goal was to be the first team to cross the forbidden ice continent on dogsleds. The voyage met with terrible luck when the ship became lodged in ice about a day out from where they planned to dock. They were forced to sit there for TEN MONTHS (that’s right… most of us can’t wait ten minutes!) waiting for the ice to melt, but rather than the boat being freed, the ice began to move and eventually crushed the hull of the ship. Now they had to abandon ship and live on a floe of ice for FIVE MORE MONTHS with the hopes it would drift toward land. The floe of ice seperated in April 1916. They grabbed the lifeboats they had salveged from the wrecked Endurance and paddled towards where the hoped they would find land. Seven days later they land on Elephant Island and had no illusions of rescue as no one would ever find them there. Since sitting still and freezing to death was clearly not an option for this bunch (there were 28 of them by the way; including Shackleton). Shackleton made the decision to do an open boat journey for help. He took five men and crossed 800 miles of icy waters through fifty foot waves, gale force winds and a hurricane that nearly destroyed the boat and left them shipwrecked on South Georgia Island’s – on the other side from the whaling station. Remember, to make this crossing he was forced to leave 22 men behind on his word that he would survive and return for them. Can you imagine how that speech must have sounded?. “Hey guys... just relax... I got this. I'll be back in fifteen or sixteen weeks provided I survive this impossibel journey.” Obviously, being the leader he was suggests he said something inspirational and that his crew had absolute FAITH in the abilities and character of their Captain. Now, on the opposite site of the island, he takes a 36 hour hike across frozen mountains more than 6,000 feet high. Two men remained with the damaged boat. They finally reached the whaling station on May 20, 1916. He was able to rescue the two he left on the other side of the island immediately but it took numerous attempts and more than four months to get two the 22 men waiting on Elephant Island. It was nearly TWO YEARS since the boat was trapped and yet every man survived. Every single one. What are the leadership traits that stand out to you from this story? Obviously, there are many as Shackleton was a true leader. Determination, resolve, never asking for his men to do anything he wouldn't do himself, finality, motivation in the face of hopelessness are a few. The most important trait I noticed in the story was love. His love for the men he led was so deep that it was UNACCEPTABLE that any of them should fail… which in this situation meant death. What is YOUR level of commitment when you lead your team? Are you resolved to help every team member survive if they are just a s resolved to live? Will you assist them with the same persistence and determination that exhibit when prospecting for new team members? People will follow you and willingly do whatever it is you ask as long as they respect you as a leader, they know that they can trust you and that you will not abandon them. Whether you are trying to survive the cruel elements of the Antarctic, play professional basketball or creating a network marketing juggernaut, be that leader. A true leader loves his team and everyone is stronger for it. Lead with inspiration! Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Jesse Walker is an Expert in Attraction Marketing and Team Buiding. His study and practice of effective Leadership Traits has transformed his internet marketing business and assisted with helping countless others to create tremendous success in theirs. To discover the #1 attraction marketing system and put your business on steroids by generating 50+ leads a day, CLICK HERE!! |
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