Dennis Perkins

Jillian Murphy

In the face of turmoil and tragedy, a crew of “amateur” sailors piloted their tiny vessel--the AFR Midnight Rambler--through a treacherous storm in order to achieve victory in a world-renowned sailing competition. Their triumph--perhaps even their survival--owes itself to their astonishing commitment to teamwork: an alchemy of cooperation, trust, planning, and execution. Author Dennis N.T. Perkins chronicles their nearly four-day ordeal and draws parallels to the world of business, revealing how teams can work together to overcome obstacles and succeed during difficult times. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is among the most demanding sailing competitions in the world. Unpredictable seas make the approximately-630-nautical-mile course grueling under the best conditions, but the 1998 race proved to be the most perilous to date when a sudden and violent storm struck. Winds gusted over 100 mph and monstrous 80-foot waves towered over boat masts. Six sailors perished and another 55 were saved in what became the largest search and rescue operation in Australia's history. But even while bigger, better-equipped yachts attempted to maneuver around the storm, Ed Psaltis and his crew on the AFR Midnight Rambler made the daring decision to head directly into its path. Winner of the 2013 Small Business Book Awards from Small Business Trends, Into the Storm will help your team achieve extraordinary feats--together. Illustrated with examples from the story and compelling case studies, this engaging book provides the resources and tools to support teams on their sometimes-tumultuous journey to success.

Lessons in Teamwork from the Treacherous Sydney to Hobart Ocean Race

Into the Storm

Margaret Holtman

Drawing on the amazing story of a polar exploration team’s survival against all odds, author Dennis N. T. Perkins demonstrates the importance of a strong leader in times of adversity, uncertainty, and change. Part adventure tale and part leadership guide, Leading at the Edge uncovers what the legendary Antarctic adventure of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his team of twenty-seven polar explorers can teach us about bringing order to chaos through true leadership. Among other skills, you’ll learn how to instill optimism while staying grounded in reality, step up to risks worth taking, consistently reinforce your team message, set a personal example, find things to celebrate, laugh small things off, and--even in the face of extreme temperatures, hazardous ice, dwindling food, and complete isolation--never give up.The book’s second edition features additional lessons, new case studies of the strategies in action, tools to uncover and resolve conflicts, and expanded resources. An updated epilogue compares the leadership styles of the famous polar explorers Shackleton, Amundsen, and Scott, which transcend the one-hundred-plus years since their historic race to the South Pole to help today’s leaders learn valuable lessons about the meaning of true success.

Jillian Murphy

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