Leading on the Edge Extraordinary Stories and Leadership Insights from The World's Most Extreme Workplace

A note from the author vii

Acknowledgements ix

Preface xi

Part I: How I got there 1

1 Leadership can be learned, and taught, early 3

2 Very few decisions in life are irreversible, so make some! 11

3 Always look for ways to extend yourself 19

4 Get out of your depth — it’s a great way to learn to swim 25

5 Don’t expect leadership to be an easy ride 31

Part II: Antarctica beckons 37

6 Sometimes the right thing happens for the wrong reason! 39

7 People notice when you try to be someone you’re not 47

8 You know people by what they do, not what they say they do 55

9 First prepare yourself, then leave your comfort zone 63

Part III: Preparing to leave 71

10 Seeing what’s wrong is easy — the hard part is the fix 73

11 Understand the game, and play your hand carefully 85

12 Ask ‘why?’, then keep asking why 95

13 Adventure is not without risk 105

14 Try to stay positive: even the stormiest seas eventually subside 111

15 A handpicked support team can be essential 119

Part IV: Summer in Antarctica 127

16 Make the right decision the right way 129

17 Step up onto the balcony — but you’ll need time and support 137

18 Ambiguity and leadership go hand in hand 145

19 Feeling stressed and overworked? It could be your boundaries 153

20 Good leaders know when to show emotion 163

21 Think ahead and know what you will do in an emergency 171

22 When you’re spending all your time managing, don’t forget to lead 179

Part V: Antarctic winter 189

23 It’s important to know your people, not just the work they do 191

24 As a leader you are being watched, always 201

25 Find a reason, any reason, to celebrate 207

26 Check in on your people: ask R U OK? 219

27 Take care of the little things 227

28 Judgement comes with experience 235

29 ‘No triangles’ takes effort and persistence 241

30 Watch out for three-quarter time — keep your energy up 249

Part VI: The return 259

31 Go the distance 261

Appendix A: What it takes to be an inspirational leader 275

Appendix B: Build teamwork with ‘no triangles’ 281

Index 287