Sir Ernest Shackleton

Historical Figure

20th Century Ireland/England

From Shackleton's Last Voyage: The Story of the Quest by Wild, Frank

"Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all."

Known for: Antarctic survival and bringing every man home alive

travel exploration leadership resilience courage

About Sir Ernest Shackleton

Role: The leader of the expedition, an experienced explorer.

Core Belief: In scientific exploration and the importance of pushing boundaries, even in the face of adversity. His actions demonstrate a commitment to his crew and a belief in the power of human spirit to overcome challenges.

Worldview: Sees the world as a place of challenges and opportunities, believing in the importance of exploration and scientific progress. He is also deeply aware of the human cost of such endeavors.

Debates featuring Sir Ernest Shackleton

Leadership & Crisis

The startup I founded just lost its primary funding source. We have four months of runway. My team of 12 took massive pay cuts to join me. Some have turned down other offers. They believe in the mission. I've been telling them we'll find new funding, but honestly, I'm not sure we will. The market has changed. VCs are skeptical. Every door I knock on closes. Part of me wants to admit the truth—that we might not make it—so they can start looking for other jobs. Part of me believes that if I do that, the team will fall apart and we'll definitely fail. How do I lead when I don't know if we'll survive? Do I protect my team from the truth or trust them with it? — Captain of a Sinking Ship in San Diego

80 votes

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