Leading on the Edge

A note from the author vii
<p>Acknowledgements ix</p>
<p>Preface xi</p>
<p>Part I: How I got there 1</p>
<p>1 Leadership can be learned, and taught, early 3</p>
<p>2 Very few decisions in life are irreversible, so make some! 11</p>
<p>3 Always look for ways to extend yourself 19</p>
<p>4 Get out of your depth it s a great way to learn to swim 25</p>
<p>5 Don t expect leadership to be an easy ride 31</p>
<p>Part II: Antarctica beckons 37</p>
<p>6 Sometimes the right thing happens for the wrong reason! 39</p>
<p>7 People notice when you try to be someone you re not 47</p>
<p>8 You know people by what they do, not what they say they do 55</p>
<p>9 First prepare yourself, then leave your comfort zone 63</p>
<p>Part III: Preparing to leave 71</p>
<p>10 Seeing what s wrong is easy the hard part is the fix 73</p>
<p>11 Understand the game, and play your hand carefully 85</p>
<p>12 Ask why? , then keep asking why 95</p>
<p>13 Adventure is not without risk 105</p>
<p>14 Try to stay positive: even the stormiest seas eventually subside 111</p>
<p>15 A handpicked support team can be essential 119</p>
<p>Part IV: Summer in Antarctica 127</p>
<p>16 Make the right decision the right way 129</p>
<p>17 Step up onto the balcony but you ll need time and support 137</p>
<p>18 Ambiguity and leadership go hand in hand 145</p>
<p>19 Feeling stressed and overworked? It could be your boundaries 153</p>
<p>20 Good leaders know when to show emotion 163</p>
<p>21 Think ahead and know what you will do in an emergency 171</p>
<p>22 When you re spending all your time managing, don t forget to lead 179</p>
<p>Part V: Antarctic winter 189</p>
<p>23 It s important to know your people, not just the work they do 191</p>
<p>24 As a leader you are being watched, always 201</p>
<p>25 Find a reason, any reason, to celebrate 207</p>
<p>26 Check in on your people: ask R U OK? 219</p>
<p>27 Take care of the little things 227</p>
<p>28 Judgement comes with experience 235</p>
<p>29 No triangles takes effort and persistence 241</p>
<p>30 Watch out for three–quarter time keep your energy up 249</p>
<p>Part VI: The return 259</p>
<p>31 Go the distance 261</p>
<p>Appendix A: What it takes to be an inspirational leader 275</p>
<p>Appendix B: Build teamwork with no triangles 281</p>
<p>Index 287</p>