How a hazardous journey, low wages and the bitter cold taught me to lead more effectively.

One of my favorite stories to tell has, as its lead character, a gentleman called Ernest Shackleton. Better known for his explorations around the Antarctic region of the planet. Best known for the Imperial-trans-arctic expedition of 1914 where he attempted coast to coast expedition via south pole. With such an ambitious calling, he would obviously need a healthy crew. But who would make such a death-defying trip with Shackleton?

He offered an invitation into mission by way of the weekend post. It read this way:

“Men wanted for hazard journey. Low wages. Bitter cold. Long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in event of success.”

"Hey, anyone want to go the Antarctic in 1914?" What kind of invitation is this? Didn’t this guy have a marketing team or a public relations representative? Apparently not because the response to the weekend advert was overwhelming. By Monday, Shackleton had 5000 responses, 4997 men and 3 women.

Long story, short – the crew was selected from that crowd and the team was off. Even longer story short - disaster struck the team when their ship, the Endurance, got caught in some packed ice causing the crew to bail the voyage. Miraculously, they were able to journey through the mess back into safety. Reports read that it was due to incredible sacrifice of the entire team and a dependence following the wisdom and experience of Shackleton.

This story fascinates me… not so much because of the adventure although it does kick-start my inner Kung-Fu-Panda compelling me to go and climb a mountain or maybe jump out of a plane & sky-dive. This story fascinates me for a couple of other reasons.

First, because of the willingness of those who chose to respond and accept an invitation into a STORY that was so much bigger than their own story. They were ALL IN. They were willing to leave all they knew as normal and enter into a different and dramatic story, a different kind of living…whatever it took. No matter what. Shackleton’s story became their story. Between the weekend advert and perhaps the visionary talk during the Monday interview, there was something that Shackleton wrote or said that caused the seeker of adventure to get lost in Shackleton’s dream. I love that.

Another reason this story fascinates me is that this story gives us tiny glimpse of God’s invitation to you and me into HIS mission – what he is up to in this world – It’s an invitation into a new and dramatic story. God’s story is a story where we listen to and respond for a better life, whatever it takes. It’s an invitation to make God’s story, let’s call it “HIS-story” a story that can become YOUR story. It’s an invitation to get up and get in on what God is doing joining a long line of risk takers.

As leaders, that is what we do most of the time. We cast vision. We tell a grander and hopefully more compelling story that our people want to step into and follow.

Think about your leadership as a parent once again. I have found myself and my wife Becky casting a more compelling vision for career, health and the best life yet when trying to convince my kids to do homework, eat better, and or clean their room. We often give the vision for a future to motivate action for the present.

As leaders in our organizations, we’re constantly inviting the people we lead to allow a picture of a future reality to inform what is right in front of us. Mr. Shackleton invited people into a picture of what "could be" and it stoked a fire to get people to respond. He celebrated what they would become and within that celebration, he gave fuel to the ordinary to become extraordinary and that was all they needed to put their lives on the line.

That's leadership. Praying that you lean in and lead people to a better future, whether you're leading. Peace & love to you. Paul

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