WEB WOOD WORKS! - February 2003

Cold Days in Hell

Surprisingly, there were a lot of competent and sane applicants –adventure and escape from boredom are fantastic motivators. Shackleton picked his small team carefully and although he did not reach his goal he brought ALL his men back after two “difficult” years in the Antarctic.  (“Difficult”?  No.  A better word would be “unbelievable”.  Watch NOVA’s re-broadcast on February 25th and see the IMAX movie.)

  Don’t dismiss his efforts as “TRANS_ANTARCTICA.COM - just another of those startups where they all worked and played hard but had unrealistic goals.” 

  Like many startup CEOs, Shackleton had to do more than dream, he needed to sell his concepts to investors, build a team and then create a detailed plan of action. His greatness was his ability to constantly look ahead for viable options while not losing sight of present conditions. His crew survived because he did great things and inspired his men to do likewise.  He didn’t manage by cracking the whip from behind, nor lead them with shouts of “follow me”. Instead, he treated them as adults, sharing the realities of the problems with them, outlining his plans and soliciting support. He knew the limitations of each man and assigned work thoughtfully to maximize output and avoid dissent. (The proof of his leadership is that many of his crew volunteered for his next expedition.)

  Shackleton’s adventure took place during World War One, where millions of soldiers were sent in hopeless battle charges to their death and where industrial workers’ lives were also expendable. Because of his commitment to his entire crew’s survival, Shackleton was welcomed home as a hero. Today, would he be harpooned as a failure because he didn’t protect shareholder equity?  Would anyone remember him if he had achieved his goal of crossing Antarctica but lost members of his team? 

  Okay, okay, I’ll back off: your goal in life is not to be a hero but just to make a living chopping wood! Workers may sometimes have to be cast off  but while they are on the job you can maximize their value (and your own) by your interaction with them. I could give you a “how-to” list but best read “Shackleton’s Way” by Margot Morell. 

  South Pole examples of leadership by developing realistic options and teamwork are part of moving ahead. However you can also learn from the North Pole. Santa survives; despite the advice of his doctor and accountant who told him that he can follow the Atkins diet and at the same time reducing his  food bills by utilizing the readily available supply of venison. Don’t cannibalize your assets! If you want to have a future you must retain those people who have created and maintain your core capabilities. In a few words: hire sparingly, but only the best (people you feel you can work with in both good and tough times); motivate and lead them; and finally if you have to let them go, part as friends (as someday, they might be your boss).

  Let’s look at the dark side. Your company may already be on the ice. You’ve shed the people who were just warm bodies.  You can train and motivate the remaining team until hell freezes over but if you can’t develop viable long-term goals – products, quality, engineering, marketing, etc. you are doomed. Life is changing and it is too short to spend your days watching a business spiral down.  Perform or perish!  GET REAL! GET A SOLID PLAN, OR GET OUT!