Drew Rozell, Ph.D.

Author and Coach

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The Courage of Optimism

November 2, 2009 drewrozell 1 Comment

One of the books I’m reading is called The Endurance by Caroline Alexander. The book recounts the 1914 adventure of Ernest Shackelton and his twenty-seven man crew in their attempt to be the first people to cross Antarctica on foot.

Their ship — The Endurance — becomes trapped in the ice pack, crushing the boat and leaving the men stranded on the ice for twenty months.

Though I’ve not finished the book, I know the ending. The ordeal ends with no men perishing and this is largely attributed to Shackelton’s leadership.

I’ve come across a quote from Shackleton that I believe explains the mindset necessary to inspire and lead people in such a harsh, bleak situation.

Shackleton is quoted as saying, “Optimism is true moral courage.”

Think about that one for a minute or two…

And choose to be courageous in this way today…

shipturned_largeThe end of the line for The Endurance.

P.S. Kodak has created a cool website chronciling this story of The Endurance here.

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Blog, Profiles, Quote, Radical Responsibility caroline alexander, cool website, ernest shackelton, man crew, moral courage, shackleton

Comments

  1. rich says

    November 2, 2009 at 1:33 pm

    Hey Drew,
    that book is in my top 3 favorites of all time. It is an amazing story on so many levels.
    There are 2 other quotes in the book I really like
    1) “through endurance we will triumph” , not sure if that is an totally accurate quote
    2) when leaving to go to sea the toast was “to our wives and our girlfriends, may the two never meet”
    Rich

    Reply

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