Editorial Review
It is ironic that a 90-year-old story of courage and endurance should have lessons for the Internet Age-but it does! Anyone attempting to lead in the face of uncertainty and adversity will learn much from this tremendously engaging and compelling book.
DAVID A. NADLER, Chairman, Delta Consulting Group, Inc., and author of
Champions of Change and Competing by Design Perkins offers a unique and refreshing perspective on the challenge of leadership. His insights-and skillful use of the Shackleton expedition as a case study make the book a valuable contribution and a must-read.
WILLIAM H. DONALDSON, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc., founding Dean, Professor of Management, Yale School of Management, Former Chairman and CEO, The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Leading at the Edge captures the remarkable Endurance story and serves as an effective guide for all those who find themselves in leadership positions--both on and off the ice.
ANN BANCROFT, Polar Explorer, attempting the first all-women's crossing of Antarctica in November 2000 with Norwegian explorer Liv Arnesan
An epic story that not only provides lessons on how to be a good leader, but also makes us stop to think about the fundamental goals of leadershipan invaluable tool for any leadership initiative.
DEBORAH ANCONA, Seley Distinguished Professor of Management, Sloan School of Management, MIT
Dennis Perkins uses Shackleton's extraordinary adventure to demonstrate invaluable, practical traits of leadership. Leading at the Edge is a well-written, power-packed read. I could not recommend it more highly.
JOHN H. DALTON, Former Secretary of the Navy, and Chairman and CEO, Metal Technology, Inc.
Fascinating. Great story after story, along with important learnings about leadership.
ED LAWLER, Director, Center for Effective Organizations, USC.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Part adventure story, part leadership guide, this intriguing book examines Shackletons legendary Antarctic expedition through the lens of business to reveal a set of powerful strategies for corporate leaders. In the chronicles of extraordinary adventures and against the-odds survival, nothing compares to the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his team of Antarctic explorers. Stranded in the frozen sea for nearly two years, they endured extreme temperatures, hazardous ice, dwindling food, complete isolation, and perpetual blackness.
Yet, despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the group remained cohesive, congenial, and mercifully alive a fact that speaks not just to luck but to an unparalleled feat in leadership.
Now, for the first time ever, LEADING AT THE EDGE draws on this amazing story to reveal the power of effective organizational leadership under conditions of uncertainty, ambiguity, and rapid change. The book uncovers 10 lessons complete with stirring examples from the Shackleton expedition, as well as contemporary business case studies of the strategies in action on what it takes to be a great leader. Readers learn how to:
*Set a personal example with vivid symbols and behaviors *Instill optimism while staying grounded in reality *Reinforce the team message constantly *Find something to celebrate and something to laugh about *Have the courage to take big risks, and more.
For managers and executives who feel stressed out or stretched thin, these memorable strategies will help bring order to chaos and success in the face of the most daunting adversity.
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Customer Reviews
I heard Perkins speak, then bought the book... 
2007-06-14
As a former Outward Bound instructor who loves adventure, I found this book riveting. As a business coach I know that learning occurs when we are on the edge, in a little less familiar place. This story supplements the narratives about Shackleton because Perkins takes the story and applies it to leadership. Hence, it becomes contemporary. I liked some of his points so much that I referenced him in my book. I strongly encourage you to read this book. Doug Gray, PCC, author of [ASIN:0975884158 Passionate Action: 5 Steps to Extraordinary Success in Life and Work]]sionate Action.
Leading At The Edge 2006-07-24
Perkins uses Shackleton's Antarctic expedition of the early 1900's to identify ten leadership strategies. These stategies have proven useful for me in both military and civilian business settings. Perkins uses real-life examples form the Shackleton expedition in Part One to identify the strategies. In Part Two he uses recent (from when the book was written) business example to demonstrate how these strategies can be applied. This is an easy read and the stories of the Shackleton expedition helped keep my focus on the people that we lead while keeping the ultimate goal in sight. The title of this book applies whether you are leading at the edge of the world, the edge of survival, or at the edge of competition.
"Fortitudine Vincimus"!
Simply Amazing 2005-01-02
This book is a "must read" for everyone aspiring to become a leader. The different life and death situations that Shackleton and his men faced, and how they overcame the obstacles in their way, is an example for all to follow.
The book is written masterfully, allowing the reader to reflect on how different leadership techniques were applied and how to apply the techniques to the situations particular to the reader.
Outstanding Work!
Invaluable lessons for business or life! 2004-12-14
A fantastic text based on an epic journey. The history of Shackleton's ill-fated expedition is a sharp contrast to the modern view which epitomizes personal liberty as the highest virtue.
This book features vignettes from an expedition faced with nearly insurmountable odds that highlight the difficult choices faced by Shackleton and his men. In the face of adversity, they managed to endure, though not without cost. Perhaps the most moving part of the narrative is knowing that, after he and a few of his men made it (barely) to the safety of a remote whaling outpost, he insisted on mounting numerous rescue attempts for his other stranded crew-mates until they were successfully extracted.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, whether or not you are involved in business management. As a father, I found many of the examples and stories inspirational, and I have shared them with my children to teach them the virtues of perseverence and the responsibilities of leadership.
Leadership & Action 2003-05-13
The author, Dennis N. T. Perkins, shows extraordinary insight in leadership with 10 clearly stated principles. Based in strong part on Shackelton's expedition, these 10 principles are not only clearly stated, but truly make a difference. It is obvious that Perkins understands leadership. The book is easy to read, but takes plenty of mental energy. This book should be read by any manager, and should be considered a classic.
Easier to read and apply than Covey's 7 Habits 2003-04-27
It is ironic that a 90-year-old story of courage and endurance should have lessons for the Internet Age-but it does! Anyone attempting to lead in the face of uncertainty and adversity will learn much from this tremendously engaging and compelling book.
DAVID A. NADLER, Chairman, Delta Consulting Group, Inc., and author of
Champions of Change and Competing by Design Perkins offers a unique and refreshing perspective on the challenge of leadership. His insights-and skillful use of the Shackleton expedition as a case study make the book a valuable contribution and a must-read.
WILLIAM H. DONALDSON, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc., founding Dean, Professor of Management, Yale School of Management, Former Chairman and CEO, The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Leading at the Edge captures the remarkable Endurance story and serves as an effective guide for all those who find themselves in leadership positions--both on and off the ice.
ANN BANCROFT, Polar Explorer, attempting the first all-women's crossing of Antarctica in November 2000 with Norwegian explorer Liv Arnesan
An epic story that not only provides lessons on how to be a good leader, but also makes us stop to think about the fundamental goals of leadershipan invaluable tool for any leadership initiative.
DEBORAH ANCONA, Seley Distinguished Professor of Management, Sloan School of Management, MIT
Dennis Perkins uses Shackleton's extraordinary adventure to demonstrate invaluable, practical traits of leadership. Leading at the Edge is a well-written, power-packed read. I could not recommend it more highly.
JOHN H. DALTON, Former Secretary of the Navy, and Chairman and CEO, Metal Technology, Inc.
Fascinating. Great story after story, along with important learnings about leadership.
ED LAWLER, Director, Center for Effective Organizations, USC.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Part adventure story, part leadership guide, this intriguing book examines Shackletons legendary Antarctic expedition through the lens of business to reveal a set of powerful strategies for corporate leaders. In the chronicles of extraordinary adventures and against the-odds survival, nothing compares to the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his team of Antarctic explorers. Stranded in the frozen sea for nearly two years, they endured extreme temperatures, hazardous ice, dwindling food, complete isolation, and perpetual blackness.
Yet, despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the group remained cohesive, congenial, and mercifully alive a fact that speaks not just to luck but to an unparalleled feat in leadership.
Now, for the first time ever, LEADING AT THE EDGE draws on this amazing story to reveal the power of effective organizational leadership under conditions of uncertainty, ambiguity, and rapid change. The book uncovers 10 lessons complete with stirring examples from the Shackleton expedition, as well as contemporary business case studies of the strategies in action on what it takes to be a great leader. Readers learn how to:
*Set a personal example with vivid symbols and behaviors *Instill optimism while staying grounded in reality *Reinforce the team message constantly *Find something to celebrate and something to laugh about *Have the courage to take big risks, and more.
For managers and executives who feel stressed out or stretched thin, these memorable strategies will help bring order to chaos and success in the face of the most daunting adversity.
Leadership rules in a turbulent world 2003-04-22
A worthwhile book on survival through good leadership.
Captivating Read of Leadership Lessons from Explorer 2003-02-23
Dennis was interviewed about this book on FoxNews, and he was captivating with his story of Shackleton and what he learned of leadership.
Perkins has applicable background, in Vietnam and management consulting and teaching which make this book doubly fascinating.
I found his style and wit so easy to read and yet remember the points being made. There are many one can take away from this and use, however two that stand out in my mind are: great leaders don't enter knowing everything, e.g. Shackleton had never even slept in a sleeping bag before, much is learned; second, in At Edge experiences, overcome uncertainly with structure and distractions.
So much more could be said about this excellent contribution to leadership. It is well structured with Shackleton's lessons first, then biz cases which are each unique and contribute to illustrations of these leadership lessons. After each section there is reflection, while at the book's end, more intense follow-up excercies and resources to be pursued.
One great leadership adventure!
Powerful lessons in leadership 2002-12-10
Leading at the Edge reaveals in detail how to take the qualities of an icon of leadership and how to translate those qualities into practical use for today's business climate and today's realities.
Its easy-to-read format allows the reader to put down the book and easily pick it up where the reader left off.
I admired Shackleton before---now I know precisely why and how to use his qualities to my advantage.
This book definately lived up (actually surpassed)what I hoped it would be.
Adventure, Survival, & Leadership 2002-07-24
This outstanding book is a collection and analysis of leadership lessons from Ernest Shackleton's heroic 1914-1916 Antarctic expedition at the edge of survival. Shackleton's amazing adventure saga alone is a great read, but it is the leadership insights that make this book a "must-read."
Perkins carefully organized the book into four inter-related parts. After briefly summarizing the Shackleton expedition, in Part One Perkins presents his 10 strategies for leading at the edge:
1- Vision and Quick Victories: Never lose sight of the ultimate goal, and focus energy on short-term objectives.
2- Symbolism and Personal Example: Set a personal example with visible, memorable symbols and behaviors.
3- Optimism and Reality: Instill optimism and self-confidence, but stay grounded in reality.
4- Stamina: Take care of yourself: Maintain your stamina and let go of guilt.
5- The Team Message: Reinforce the team message constantly: "We are one - we live or die together."
6- Core Team Values: Minimize status differences and insist on courtesy and mutual respect.
7- Conflict: Master conflict - deal with anger in small doses, engage dissidents, and avoid needless power struggles.
8- Lighten Up!: Find something to celebrate and something to laugh about.
9- Risk: Be willing to take the Big Risk.
10- Tenacious Creativity: Never give up - there's always another move.
Interwoven with these strategies are detailed accounts from Shackleton's expedition and real world business examples to fully illustrate the strategies' applicability to today's leadership environments.
Part Two is case studies of four organizations that successfully applied the strategies and achieved remarkable success. In Part Three, Perkins "outlines a number of qualities and actions that...contribute to living, learning, and thriving at "The Edge."" Part Four provides the reader with some tools to further develop individual leadership skills.
Written by a former combat Lieutenant of Marines in Vietnam and current "President of The Syncretics Group, a consultancy that focuses on effective leadership in demanding environments," this book was a very enjoyable and informative study of leadership. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about, and seeing if they have what it takes for, leading at the edge.
