Leading at the Edge

In Leading at the Edge, Dennis Perkins tells the incredible story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s

doomed Antarctic expedition — and somehow turns it into some solid relevant leadership lessons for today. Perkins’ insights also pair with the best ideas from today’s most respected leadership thinkers.

Here are some of those key leadership lessons:

1. People First, Mission Second - Always

   Shackleton didn’t just save his crew from the ice — he saved them from despair. He put people over ego and connection over command. Strong leaders know that results are built on relationships. Simon Sinek says “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” Brene Brown suggests that “Daring leaders work to make sure people can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging.”
   

2. Lead with Hope and Honesty

   It is clear in reading Leading at the Edge that Shackleton walked a fine line between optimism and brutal truth - and his crew needed both. Perkins described how Shackleton balanced realism and hope, to maintain morale. In Good to Great, Jim Collins shared “You must maintain unwavering faith that you can and will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties, and at the same time, have the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”
   

3. Purpose Is the Lifeline

   Even while stranded on ice, Shackleton created rituals, routines, and responsibilities. Purpose gave his crew meaning. Quoting Simon Sinek, “And it’s those who start with why, that have the ability to inspire those around them or find others who inspire them.” Providing meaning and purpose isn’t a nice ‘extra’ - it’s a necessity.
   

4. Adapt Your Style - Rigid Leaders Break

   Shackleton was highly adaptable. He was willing and able to change his approach based on reading circumstances, personalities, and stress levels. According to John C Maxwell, “The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.” Coaching great John Wooden highlighted adaptability; “Adaptability is being able to adjust to any situation at any given time.”
   

5. Energy Management Over Time Management

   Shackleton knew that rest was a leadership responsibility. He paced the journey, protected morale, and managed energy like a resource. Leaders must model and protect the energy of their people. In Leading to Greatness, Jim Reid states that “The best leaders have a deep understanding of energy management and its link to high performance.” According to Dr. Garland Vance there are four types of energy that we need to monitor, develop and manage: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Brene Brown adds, “It takes courage to say yes to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol.” (I’ve been guilty of this!)

In today's often chaotic world, Shackleton’s lessons are more relevant than ever. He wasn’t just a heroic explorer — he was a master of adaptive, empathetic, purpose-driven leadership. Dennis Perkins captured this in Leading at the Edge and when you combine that with insights from today’s leadership thinkers, what is true is that leadership isn’t about control — it’s about character… and sometimes, the most powerful leadership lessons are born in the coldest, darkest places.