Creative Commons image.

In these days of readily available sources of movies and documentaries from the comfort of our homes, it’s not often I treat myself to going to the movies. But with the film festival currently running in my area, I took the opportunity to indulge.

The beauty of film festivals is the showcasing of incredible talent through stories that rarely get aired in the light of ‘mainstream’ showings. They are a ‘must’ in my view.

I indulged in viewing “Shackleton: The greatest story of survival”. It reveals the true story of polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance, told by the only man ever to have repeated their incredible feat – explorer and adventurer Tim Jarvis. The narration is mixed with photos taken by one of the 28 crew aboard Endurance, and tangibly transported us back to 1915.

The job advertisement alone gives us a taste of what was to come for them:

What was prevalent throughout the documentary was Shackleton’s incredible leadership. His ability to, through the most harrowing of times, buoy spirits, hold a team together through a common cause, and understand how to bring the best out in his crew was admirable.

Small things like waking two of his crew after only a 5 min sleep, but telling them they had half an hour’s sleep. He knew he couldn’t let them sleep any longer, or they would’ve frozen to death, but he also knew that if he supported them to believe that they had had more sleep, their mindset would be set in a way that would allow them to find the strength they needed to move forward with determination.

The situation required that Shackleton made life and death decisions for his crew. He needed to be able to weigh up those decisions and pick the best path to maintain momentum. He did this alone. He held those decisions close to him until he was ready to share with his crew.

Shackleton speaks of the weight of decision-making as a leader in saying 

“Loneliness is the penalty of leadership”

Despite the support of your team, there are many things that sit squarely on a leader’s shoulders. These are often things that can only be shared with 1-2 key people in total confidence, but ultimately the decision and execution of the decision sits with the leader.

This can take its toll on leaders, particularly if there are multiple major decisions needing to be made. It can be emotionally draining, cause sleepless nights and require long hours of deliberation.

There are a few things, in both my personal leadership experience and years of partnering with leaders, that I have come to find helpful. I’m sharing these in the hope they might support you in your own leadership journey.

1. Be here, now. Compartmentalising decision-making holds you in the current moment, and supports you to focus on one thing at a time, giving each moment your full attention. This also helps counteract feeling overwhelmed.

2. Dial a mentor. A trusted, confidential professional mentor is priceless. When you aren’t able to speak with anyone within your organisation, a professional mentor who knows your wider context, yet can see things objectively, can be invaluable.

3. Connect. Keeping connected with whānau and friends who can provide balance and awhi is vital to your own wellbeing. 

And finally, in the words of Shackleton:

Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all.