How to Lead People

On the Leader Fluent Podcast, we're in a series on my book, Insanely Practical Leadership: 12 No-Nonsense Keys to Master the Art of Leading Yourself and Others. The book addresses a host of insanely practical skills, and it provides you and your team with the tools to apply the insights to your life and leadership. The book is now available on Amazon, Kindle, and other retailers. On today's episode, you'll get a taste of my chapter on, "How to Lead People." Be sure to order Insanely Practical Leadership today, and check out the Masterclass as well as the bonus content that goes with the book HERE. One of the greatest leadership feats of the 20th century was Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.  The goal of the expedition was clear: cross the continent of Antarctica from west to east. But in the end, Shackleton’s greatest leadership feat wasn’t the crossing of Antarctica, but winning a two-year wrestling match to survive its ice-cold grip.  The 28-man crew sailed on Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, and departed London on Saturday, August 1, 1914. But when they were only 60-miles from their destination, the ship became trapped by the ice floe, where it remained for months.  Then, in early May, darkness covered Antarctica as the sun disappeared from the sky for the next 79 days.  By the end of August, the Endurance cracked as the pressure of the floe tested its strength. And on October 27, 1915, Shackleton gave orders to abandon ship. Just 25 days later, Endurance was crushed and swallowed by the ice.  The conditions on the ice floe were brutal. When the men had to relieve themselves, ice became their toilet paper. When their eyes watered, tears rolled down their faces and froze on the tips of their noses. To make matters worse, food was sparse, and the dreadful day came when they had to shoot their dogs just so they could eat.  Finally, on April 9, the Boss—as Shackleton was known—gave the order to launch the three lifeboats into the water to make a perilous, sleepless journey through the violent ocean. And after a heroic effort, the men finally made landfall on Elephant Island.  Then, Shackleton assembled a five-man crew to sail 800 miles to South Georgia in hopes of returning with a ship to collect the rest of the men.  The crew had to sail through the Drake Passage, affectionately known as “The Drake Shake” because of its violent and inhospitable waves and weather. But against all odds, on May 10, the crew arrived. It had been 522 days since they originally left South Georgia. There was only one problem: they were on the opposite side of the island from the Stromness whaling station. And between them and the station were 10,000-foot mountains. For 36-hours the men marched through the snow before finally making it to the whaling station. And then, after four valiant attempts, they rescued the 22 men waiting on Elephant Island.  Why do I share the story of Shackleton’s perilous two-year journey—a journey in which he didn’t lose a single man? Because in his journey you discover eight valuable lessons that can help you lead people today. Let me share those lessons with you.  1. Vision: Communicate an Inspiring Picture of the Future Shackleton began with an unwavering vision to cross the continent of Antarctica from west to east. You might hear this and say, “But Shackleton didn’t achieve his vision.” I would argue he didn’t achieve his original vision. But he did achieve the most important vision: to get his entire crew safely home.  After the ice swallowed the Endurance, Shackleton pulled his men together, served them hot tea, and then confidently said, “Ship and stores have gone, so now we’ll go home.” His vision was always clear. You’re probably not taking a voyage to Antarctica anytime soon, but if you want people to follow, you must cast an inspiring vision for the future—a vision that’s better than where you are right now.  2.