When things look bleak, find a way or make a way

This Christmas I read a book that blew my tiny mind. If I was still working in an agency I'd be encouraging everyone to read it. But I don't anymore, so I'm telling you, my virtual colleagues instead. Enjoy!

You may be familiar with Sir Ernest Shackleton's epic adventure in the Antarctic. A ship trapped in the ice for 10 months, then camping on drifting ice packs for 5 months, then an 850-mile ordeal in open boats across the stormiest ocean in the world, followed by an extraordinary trek across a treacherous island. And returning again and again to rescue all his men. Amazing. But nothing will prepare you for this detailed account based on the diaries of those that were there. It is, quite simply, an extraordinary, life-affirming story written in the most gripping way imaginable. I urge you to find a copy and devour it.

The real reason for sharing this though is what Shackleton looked for in those he took on the expedition. You may also be aware of the famous 'Men Wanted' ad he was supposed to have taken out, although there's no mention of it in the book, so perhaps it never happened. But what did happen is the attribute he looked for when recruiting for the expedition: not just Antarctic experience (as important as that was), not breeding or good character, money or fancy hairstyle - it was optimism. Shackleton knew what waited ahead and he knew that he and his men would need to dig deep, and the only way through would be the self-belief that comes from the power of optimism. And trust me, as you read this book, as the group hit trial after trial, disaster after disaster, OMG moment after WTF moment, you will wonder how they could possible keep going. Optimism got them off that ice, out of that sea, across that island and ultimately home.

This is also the most amazing book on leadership. Shackleton vowed to not lose a single man and he did everything in his power to make that happen. His decision-making was remarkable and the way he managed factions and overcame individual grievances while carefully and astutely instilling belief in all those around him is something we can all learn from.

Perhaps then, in these dark, cold and miserable January weeks, we can all be a bit more Shackleton, and find a way or make a way. I know I am. I've even grown a polar-explorer beard!

By the by, if you're interested in these sort of 'when ships were made of wood, men were made of steel' type books, David Grann's The Wager and Julian Sancton's Madhouse At The End Of The World are both very very good