Optimism & Reality

'If there is one quality that makes the difference at The Edge, it is the ability to remain optimistic in the face of daunting adversity.'

Perkins, the author of  Leading At the Edge, writes that at the beginning of the chapter 3.
According to him, optimism is necessary to overcome hard situation, and positive outlook encourage people and makes people believe that they can do it even at the Edge.

Shacklton was an optimist and sometimes he was too optimistic to be depressed when he was in the mess. His positive look gave energy to other members. He made them engaged with lively discussion, and it kept the members focusing the future.


When the expedition was stranded in the middle of the Antarctic sea, he proposed planning to the next expedition to Alaska. His proposal encourage the group. In addition the planning could be a promise that there would be other adventure!! His optimistic gave hope to the group!!!

How important the optimistic quality is!
What a optimistic person Shacklton is!

More important thing, however, is spreading the spirit of optimism, I think. As Perkins mentions, Shacklton was able to infect the members with his optimistic.  I think, a group cannot be successful even if only leader had positive perspective. Leaders have to make himself understood by followers. A group can overcome an adversity only after all of them share the characteristic. 

I am an optimist luckily. However there was a case that only I believed a good result and the others did not.  At that time I felt I was isolated and the others may have feel they could not follow me. I was not a leader then, but when I become a leader, I have to spread optimism. As a leader, I'd like to avoid being self-satisfied.


There is another impressive advise for leaders in chapter 3.
It is that leaders should not share their uncensored doubts and inner feelings when faced with adversity.

It is important for leaders to share feeling with followers, but there is a time the attitude of the leader is powerful impact to the others.
Shacklton stuck to the attitude, I mean, he had never shown his fear or scare to the crews. Even when he knew that the ship was going to sink, he enjoyed the party not being noticed his anxiety. 

I think It is the responsibility that leaders have to take. 
It seems that we need to be strong in order to be a good leader.