From the National Library of Norway. Amundsen’s team. Click for larger image.

In 1911, Norwegian Roald Amundsen and British Robert Scott raced their teams to reach the South Pole first. Amundsen’s team beat Scott’s team by 34 days, and everyone survived. In contrast, all five members of Scott’s team perished on the return trip.

In Jim Collins’ and Morten Hansen’s book, Great by Choice, the authors examine the different leadership styles between the two expeditions as well as leadership styles in numerous organizations. Their principles of steady leadership in chaotic times (described on pages 36 through 37) apply to a variety of leaders:

• Fanatic Discipline. Leaders are consistent with action-values, goals, and performance standards.
• Productive Paranoia. Leaders are attuned to threats and changes in their environment and channel their fears and worry into action.
• Empirical Creativity. Leaders use direct observation, practical experimentation, and direct engagement with tangible evidence.

These principles can be applied to people in leadership positions with outdoor properties. Why does the property management excel at one property but not at a similar property? One answer may be in leveraging these principles. Read this great book and reflect upon your work in property management.

Collins and Hansen. 2011. Great by Choice. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publisher.

For more pictures and the story of the South Pole, see
“Amundsen: The Race to the South Pole,” http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/09/amundsen/alexander-text