Chapter 4 Stamina

Stamina is, I think, people usually overlooked. However, leader is the person that comes with great pressure, responsible and stress that caused by it.  

As in chapter 2 "Symbolism and Personal Example" shows, leader especially at the edge need to be an innovator or role-model to overcome the harsh situation. Since being innovative or role-model are, in the most of the case, need to work harder than other members and do things that otherwise no one will do, leader is the first person to feel anxiety, pressure and responsible.

So then, why leader cannot loose stamina even they are in such harsh situation?

The author showed us two reasons for this.

1. "Fail to maintain your own stamina, and then you will be unable to summon the energy needed to reach The Edge."

2. "Others in your team will take their cues from your behavior"

I was persuaded by these two ideas. Especially the second one shows that leader should care themselves in order to manage the team or group.

At the latter part of this book, I found “summit fever” to be an interesting topic. I really love the part that talks about "summit fever". 

He said leader should take their team and one's stamina in to consideration and build safeguards to ensure the team to keep their perspective and recognize when to rest, back up and dive. 

The example of Scott that we learned in our class, I think, is the one that caught in summit fever. They could rest or back up to maintain their stamina, but they choose to proceed to the trip which eventually meets a great loss. 

This chapter reminds us to be calm when engaging on task or near the goal which is crucially important to achieve task successfully.  

 

Be careful at "summit fever"