Eric Zirzow
While having no previous experience in Antarctic Exploration, Ernest Shackleton is now considered one of the best leaders in history. This is in part due to his exemplary application of the principles of “Credibility is the Foundation of Leadership” from Kouzes and Posner’s The Leadership Challenge. Shackleton's honesty was evident in his transparent and open communication with his crew. He gave them precise and thorough information about the difficulties they would encounter, never downplaying the risks involved. Shackleton's leadership was trusted by the crew because of his openness, which fostered an atmosphere of trust. Additionally, Shackleton's careful planning and preparation made it clear that he was an effective leader. His competence was evident in his ability to navigate treacherous polar conditions due to his lack of experience. Shackleton's competence instilled a sense of security in his crew, assuring them that they were in capable hands.
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His team's survival depended heavily on his ability to encourage and keep them focused on the objective of returning home safely. He showed his crew he was one of them by braving the harsh conditions with them. Given how strongly Shackleton exhibited each of the four traits, it is difficult to determine which one is the least effective. However, given that Shackleton's primary objective of crossing Antarctica was not met and the expedition focused more on survival than exploration, I would say that his forward-looking vision was the least successful. Another example is Shackleton ignoring the fisherman’s warning about the ice ahead and proceeding the way he wanted regardless of