As a young leader in the United States Military, it was another world for me to step onto the snowy continent of Antarctica, a world in which nature’s brutal strength and beauty call for courtesy and adaptability. The trip was a rare combination of breathtaking exploration and soul-searching, with lessons in sustainability and leadership.
Antarctica is a place of strength, cooperation, and harmony. Its delicate ecosystem survives through a delicate mash-up of forces, like the organization of any army group or leadership team. The environment showed me that it isn’t about taking the reigns; it’s about aligning—whether that be with a team, a project, or even my growth.
I was struck by the similarities between our conversations and exercises regarding the environmental problems of Antarctica and the problems of leadership. Life in Antarctica is about planning, rash action, and valuing the powers outside your reach. Leadership, I realized, is similar. It’s about remaining focused even in a volatile landscape, never losing sight of the grand picture.
Something else that came out of this experience was the strength of global collaboration. Antarctica’s policy (based on the Antarctic Treaty System) is a shining example of nations cooperating to protect a shared good. That is the same as in a joint military mission where success relies on intercultural and transnational cooperation. It was inspiring for me to see leadership be about bringing people together from all kinds of different perspectives towards a common purpose.
It was also a trip that pushed me out of my comfort zone. The extreme weather conditions and meeting with CEOs from every industry developed my capacity to listen, think, and pivot. These traits will enable me to be a better leader—not only in the military but everywhere else where people turn to me for direction.
I will implement these lessons into my leadership style as I progress. First, I will approach problems in the same open-minded, agile way I found in Antarctica’s wildlife and habitats. Second, I’ll focus on working together within my team and across organizations. Last, I will think sustainably—not only environmentally but also through leadership—for the long-term well-being of my team and mission.
This excursion wasn’t just to a cold, foreign continent. It was a sobering lesson on what it means to be a leader: adaptability, cooperation, and reverence for the networks of which we are all part. Antarctica showed me that the best leaders are good at leading and care about what is being handed to them: resources, people, and values entrusted to them.
