Insights

Leading at the Edge: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition

by Dennis Perkins, Margaret Holtman, Paul Kessler & Catherine McCarthy

Part adventure story, part leadership guide, this intriguing book examines Shackleton’s legendary Antarctic expedition through the lens of business – to reveal a set of powerful strategies for corporate leaders.

Using the Power of Resonant Metaphor to Increase Leadership Effectiveness

by Dennis Perkins, Paul Kessler & Jillian Murphy

While many leaders and their coaches are aware that metaphors can be powerful, the precise reasons for their effectiveness may be less obvious. This article offers a framework for understanding the nature of metaphors; the reasons why metaphors have such a significant impact on human behavior; and the special characteristics of metaphors we characterize as “resonant.”

Race to the South Pole

by Dennis Perkins, Paul Kessler & Catherine McCarthy

The contest to become the first human to reach the South Pole is an exciting and controversial chapter in the history of leadership. Set in the most hostile environment on Earth, this article shows how leadership style, personality, strategy, and openness to innovation interact to determine success or failure.

Decision-Making at the Edge

by Dennis Perkins & Paul Kessler

In April, 1916, with his crew of 27 men, Shackleton reached a remote island, after overcoming extraordinary obstacles. He had a decision to make, one that would ultimately determine whether they lived or died. Using this decision as the backdrop, this article offers insights for leaders faced with making difficult decisions under challenging conditions.

Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition

Our approach to leadership and team development is based on the use of “Resonant Metaphors” – vivid, emotionally charged stories that act as powerful lenses to influence the way people see the world, themselves and others. This program is based on the unforgettable and deeply compelling story of Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition and relates proven strategies for leadership and management effectives in times of adversity and change.

What is Strategy?

If you were to independently ask each of your executives to define the term “strategy” you would likely get a different response from each of them. If your team can’t agree on a single definition, it’s hardly surprising that they disagree on what the company’s strategy is or should be. This program is an exploration of one of the most important yet universally misunderstood organizational constructs: Business Strategy.

Operating in a VUCA World: Understanding the Forces of Disruption

A VUCA environment is characterized by increasing levels of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. Business models that traditionally had a life span of decades are getting shorter. Incumbents tend to over-estimate how long they have to transform their current business model, and under-estimate how long it will take to achieve the transformation. This program focuses on exploring the forces of disruption and the potential impact on business models and strategy.

Strategies for Increasing Team Performance: The Team Management Profile

Working together effectively is a critical skill in today’s rapidly changing business environment. Organizations spend considerable time training, yet few teams spend time learning about the individuals on the team—their different styles and preferences for thinking and working together. As a result, a significant portion of interpersonal challenges, misunderstandings, silos, conflicts, and lack of alignment can be attributed to this gap in understanding. This program explores the natural differences in thinking styles and preferences and provides insights into how to increase and sustain team performance.