Academi Wales

Llywodraeth Cymru
Welsh Government

Academi Wales

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Leadership on Ice

Overview

This informative, interactive and energising workshop draws on the amazing and true story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the remarkable Antarctic expedition of 1914. It demonstrates the critical importance of adaptive leadership in times of adversity, uncertainty and change.

‘I loved the Shackleton story, which I was completely ignorant of! The exercises encouraged engagement and the facilitator ensured everyone was engaged, whilst respectfully managing the ‘conversations’

Shackleton has been called ‘the greatest leader that ever came on God’s earth, bar none’, yet he never led a team larger than 27 people, failed to achieve nearly every goal he set and, until recently, had been little remembered since his death in 1922. Stranded in the frozen Antarctic sea for nearly two years, Shackleton and his team of polar explorers endured extreme temperatures, hazardous ice, dwindling food supplies and complete isolation. Despite these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the group remained cohesive, congenial, and mercifully alive - a fact that speaks not just to luck but to an unparalleled feat of leadership.

Benefits to you

The workshop will explore key principles of adaptive leadership that will inspire you to:

  • instil optimism while staying grounded in reality
  • set a personal example
  • have the courage to step up to risks worth taking
  • consistently reinforce the team message
  • find things to celebrate as well as things to laugh about
  • remain focused and never give up

As a leader, you will have much to learn from this gripping and inspirational account of survival against all odds as you strive to lead and effectively deliver services in the midst of a high pressured, fast moving and continuously changing environment.

Target audience

Open to all public and third sector staff in Wales.

How to apply

Search our events calendar (please log in to apply for events)

Cost

Please note that all courses are free, unless otherwise stated.