Ernest Shackleton Characteristics

1826 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essays on shackletons artic adventure

What makes a great leader? This age-old question has piqued the interest of intellectuals across all spectrums since the dawn of time. We need to look no further than the life experiences of Ernest Shackleton to provide us with some insight on this question. One area that he excelled in was emotional IQ. Throughout his exploration career, he demonstrated his ability to be self-aware, self-regulate, socially aware of those around him, and socially manage very difficult situations. In addition to having an extremely high emotional IQ, Ernest did an amazing job of having and providing a clear vision to his team. Because of his uncanny ability to do this, he was able to attract the right people for the job. Lastly, Shackleton demonstrated …show more content…

First Acceptance of Reality, Second the ability to find meaning, and last the ability to improvise. Resiliency is another trait that Shackleton demonstrated throughout his exploration career. On their journey to Antarctica, Shackleton was repeatedly forced to accept reality. After initially finding themselves frozen in a giant floating island they attempted to cut their way to freedom. Realizing this wasn't possible he quickly changed goals and moved on to trying to solve the problem in a different way. Another example of this can be seen after they reached Elephant Island. There was really no chance that anyone would find them on this Island. This ability to accept reality allowed them to not only survive but to adjust their goals and shift their focus to the next goal. The second trait Contu mentions is the ability to find meaning. Referenced above I'd like to highlight again Shackleton's ad "honor and recognition in case of success." This group of men didn't set out on this journey simply because they enjoyed each other's company, they did so because they felt strongly that there was meaning to their journey. Lastly the ability to improvise was what kept them all alive. The first sign of capability to improvise can be seen in the shift of focus from getting to Antarctica to getting everyone home. Later evidence can be seen from abandoning ship to setting sail for South Georgia. Shackleton was constantly forced to improvise and devise a new plan to get them all back to

Show More
Related

  • Ferdinand Magellan A Hero Dbq

    366 Words  | 1 Pages

    What is a key attribute of a strong leader? Would he be strong, bold, courageous, fearless? Magellan, a portuguese captain during the fifteen hundreds crossed the world through the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Ferdinand Magellan did not deserve defense. He would treat his crewmen unfairly, put himself first, and was distracted from his goal. (Document A, B, C, D, E)

    Read More

  • Role Models and Leadership in "Romeo and Juliet"

    800 Words  | 2 Pages

    One may wonder exactly what it is that qualities a strong leader possesses. A strong leader is determined, and strong willed. They must be of good judgment, and without bias. They cannot easily be persuaded, and they are firm, yet at the same time, a good lead must also empathize with his subordinates, and have the best interest at heart for said subordinates, at all times. However, with that being said, a good leader cannot be afraid to discipline his subordinates when necessary. Unmistakably, being a leader is a very difficult feat – one which not everyone can accomplish. A leader must be an authority, a friend and a counsellor, all at once. They must be responsible, and always take into account the disadvantages of a situation. Not everyone is suitable to be a leader, whereas, just about anybody can be a good role model.

    Read More

  • Mental Endurance in Endurance Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

    1574 Words  | 4 Pages

    Although it may first appear that Shackleton's greatest perseverance resided in his stamina to endure the harsh marching and sailing that it took to lead his men back to safety, this physical strength was only a small part of the real endurance. No, it was not even in dealing with the chaffing absence of any substitute for toilet paper that Shackleton manifested his endurance, but it was prevalent in his underlying attitude. Endurance is more than just taking the next grueling step; it is maintaining a belief that all efforts3/4 whether they are physical or mental3/4 can improve the future. This incessantly positive attitude is the very foundation of stamina because when there is a will, a sense of self-worth, or a shard of hope, the body and mind will find a way. In addition, a positive attitude will unit...

    Read More

  • Shackleton The Endurance And The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition

    1963 Words  | 4 Pages

    ... Macklin recalled “We could see our base, maddening, tantalizing, Shackleton at this time showed one of his sparks of real greatness. He did not rage at all, or show outwardly the slightest sign of disappointment, he told us simply and calmly that we must winter in the Pack, explained its dangers and possibilities: never lost his optimism and prepared for winter.” And because of this calm leadership and optimism he managed to get all of his men back home.

    Read More

  • Napoleon Leadership Style Analysis

    1145 Words  | 3 Pages

    Every Leader is defined by his or her qualities and characteristics. These can determine how effective a leader has become. This statement has been true throughout the history of mankind. However, there are only a handful of specific qualities that can truly determine if someone is an effective leader.

    Read More

  • Hatchet Quotes

    612 Words  | 2 Pages

    “ I am a slow walker but I never walk back.” Sometimes it takes time but you always want to get to the end. Even if things get in your way or something is hard, you never give up and you keep pushing forward. In my opinion, perseverance is an excessively essential trait to have in the case of survival. Shackleton needed to get out of the Ice to survive, he canoed for a severely long amount of time. It was very tiring and even so Shackleton didn’t give up. In the book Hatchet Brian needed a fire to survive. He kept trying but nothing seemed to be working, he never gave up and he just kept going.

    Read More

  • Shackleton’s Expedition

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...nly able to think about themselves not about what is best for the team. Shackleton was able to disregard selfish thoughts and with a little luck, good leadership, and strategic thinking his team was led to rescue.

    Read More

  • Leadership Case Study of Ernest Shackleton

    4746 Words  | 10 Pages

    The topic of this leadership case study is Ernest Shackleton. This paper will identify the development of Shackleton's leadership skills, provide examples and reflections of his abilities, and relate how he played an essential role in one of history's greatest survival stories. This study of Shackleton's leadership is set loosely within the framework of the five practices of exemplary leadership set forth in The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner, and will focus on the benefits produced by his management of team morale and unity (13).

    Read More

  • The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership

    1631 Words  | 4 Pages

    A leader needs to “believe” in oneself and have the confidence that whatever you say will excite and what you do can motivate others. You must be optimistic about what you do, do have some relevance for being in existence. Believe it or not, “leadership begins with you”.

    Read More

  • Essay: What Makes A Great Leader?

    1945 Words  | 4 Pages

    I believe what makes a good leader a leader is when this person is passionate, has a vision, motivation, goes above and beyond for their organization, communication skills, power, and group structure; will make a person a great leader. Leaders have to have great knowledge on their organization and their team to be successful. Learning all the different characteristics and definitions of all the qualities that make a great leader a leader, has definitely inspired me to strive for all the qualities of a great leader that I would like to become in my

    Read More

  • Leadership and Followership

    790 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first characteristic, a positive attitude, is important because having the ability and enjoyment of working with other people in a team is a useful skill. A sincere liking and respect for other people is a wonderful asset. Being well liked will certainly help in working in teams or any other social situation. Humor and warmth are effective in order to be a good team member. A follower who focuses on positive thoughts by filtering out negative ones is on the trail of leadership. President Dwight D. Eisenhower often said, “No pessimist ever won a battle.” People who have a positive outlook on both life and specific situations tend to achieve their goals more often. The choice and determination to maintain an event-tempered disposition come what may; hence the ability to smile in the face of adversity and make things a little brighter for everyone.

    Read More

  • are you a good leader?

    365 Words  | 1 Pages

    To be a good leader you must be strong-minded, but more importantly you have to be intelligent. Someone who is smart can back up his or her statements with fact. If someone is intelligent people are more likely to listen to their ideas before someone who is less intelligent. If one is intelligent they have the ability to instruct a group properly. And if one is intelligent they can organize all of the groups projects better the a less intelligent person.

    Read More

  • A Good Leader Essay

    713 Words  | 2 Pages

    When we work together in a team, or in a broader sense as a society, the leader takes on the most important role. It is the leader that helps prioritize activities and direct people’s thought process in the right direction. They are the ones who have the ability to bring the group together as a whole. Because of this, not anyone can be a leader. Only people with certain qualities and abilities are able to fill this role. So what makes a good leader? There is a defined path and specific characteristics that makes someone a good leader.

    Read More

  • Reflection Paper On Am I A Leader

    723 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout my life I have encountered the chance to experience position of being a leader. Being part of groups in university for class presentations, being the organizing secretary of my campus fellowship, being a youth leader in my church and the church admin, also being part of a family. Leaders are charismatic, inspirational and trust worthy. I have gained some important qualities of being a good leader through these experiences. Most of the valuable leadership’s characteristics that I obtained and strengthened are: learn to become a better leader every day, how to be a team player, to be a better listener, to be an effective communicator, to have more patience, not afraid of constructive criticism, to be outspoken, and to be a problem solver. Even though I have gained a lot, I still have more things to learn to become a better leader such as being more assertive, being more disciplined, becoming a better public speaker, and learn how to be realistic and not too optimistic. You are a leader if someone else choses to follow you.

    Read More

  • The Transformational Leadership Theory: The Theories Of Leadership?

    1397 Words  | 3 Pages

    What does it take to be an effective leader? This is something that has been asked many times over the course of human history. Some might say that having a strong personality and a commanding presence is needed in order to be a strong leader. Others might say that someone who stays on top of everything and keeps order is more effective as a leader. Everyone has their own opinion on this subject and in many regards, they are not wrong. Good quality leadership is something that is hard to possess and is not something everyone can do. Leadership is something that has been studied and analyzed many times, and from these studies, many theories have emerged from them. Each of these theories of leadership has their own benefits and can be useful

    Read More

More about Ernest Shackleton Characteristics

Open Document