Navigating change like Shackleton: leadership lessons for today’s transformations
Sometimes a complex business transformation feels like navigating an uncharted, icy wilderness, same as Shackleton did with his crew.
Dear Reader,
In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton set out on one of the most daring voyages in history: the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. His mission was to lead his crew across the Antarctic continent, a feat never before accomplished. But fate intervened when their ship, the Endurance, became trapped and then crushed by relentless polar ice.
For 497 days, Shackleton and his men faced unimaginable hardship: freezing cold, isolation, dwindling supplies, and the constant shadow of death. Yet, against incredible odds, Shackleton’s leadership brought every man home alive.
How Shackleton led his team through crisis
When the Endurance became immobile, Shackleton wasted no time. He shifted the goal from exploration to survival and led his crew with a focus on purpose, resilience, and unity.
Assigning clear roles and tasks: To keep the men physically and mentally engaged, each crew member had essential duties: hunting, camp maintenance, ration management, or morale support. This distributed sense of responsibility kept the team aligned and active.
Leading by example: Shackleton lived the same harsh conditions, eating the same sparse food, sharing the same freezing weather. His constant presence and resilience inspired the crew to remain hopeful.
Building morale through connection: Beyond the physical challenges, Shackleton recognized the psychological toll. He organized games, storytelling sessions, and communal meals; small rituals that nurtured camaraderie and kept fear at bay.
Adapting with agility: Shackleton knew sticking to the original plan was impossible. His ability to pivot and improvise survival plans, like the boat journeys to seek rescue, kept the crew focused and moving forward.
Transparent communication: Shackleton was honest about their severe circumstances, which fostered trust and collective determination rather than panic or despair.
Applying Shackleton’s principles to business transformation
Leading a major business transformation often feels just as daunting: filled with uncertainty, setbacks, and high stakes. But by translating Shackleton’s leadership into change management practices, organizations can thrive:
Distribute leadership and accountability: Empower cross-functional teams with clarity on roles and decision rights; this accelerates adaptability and ownership.
Show visible and engaged leadership: Leaders must be present and involved throughout the journey, boosting morale and managing resistance by actively supporting teams.
Cultivate a culture of psychological safety: Like Shackleton’s social rituals, fostering open communication, mutual recognition, and shared purpose keeps people connected and motivated.
Embrace agility and flexible planning: Build feedback loops and iterative processes to respond to emerging challenges and recalibrate goals quickly.
Practice transparent communication: Honest, frequent updates reduce uncertainty, build alignment, and strengthen collective commitment to the transformation.
Transformations are rarely linear or easy, but with attributes like resilience, presence, empathy, and adaptability —hallmarks of Shackleton’s leadership —we can make the journey more manageable and smoother.
While the story of Shackleton’s leadership style is also a story of resilience and grit, the true power of his approach lay in his ability to be both relatable and vulnerable. Shackleton understood that leaders are not invincible; they experience doubt, fear, and fatigue just like their teams. What set him apart was how he managed those emotions privately while maintaining a steady, confident presence for his crew.
He was open in trusted circles, confiding in his close advisors and writing down his worries in a diary, yet he chose carefully when and how to express vulnerability, ensuring it never undermined hope or morale. This balance between strength and authenticity made him deeply human and profoundly effective.
For today’s leaders navigating complex transformations, Shackleton is a role model for courage that comes not from hiding your struggles, but from acknowledging them thoughtfully while holding space for others. Being relatable, showing empathy, and sometimes letting your guard down can build trust and deepen connection in ways that rigid confidence alone cannot.
By leading with both determination and humanity, you guide your teams not only through uncertainty but toward collective success, transforming challenges into shared victories.