Summary of Chapter 2

Set a personal example with visible, memorable symbols and behaviors.

As a leader, showing something visible attitude encourage the followers. Especially under the stressful situation, it is effective. Leader is the model of what is needed to achieve goal, and who the followers have to aim at. On this chapter, I will focus on the work of speech that the leader must be careful of.

The leader is the ideal model of the organization. Their behavior must be something conduct the followers. Giving actual examples of Shackleton, the total weight of sledge had to be as light as possible in order to march quickly. Personal belongings should be discarded, but Shackleton knew some items have effect on the followers' metal. He set a rule "2 ponds for each person" for the weight. Shackleton threw his golden items away on the icy ground in front of his followers. His action encouraged them. This is the good example that the leader worked as "the model" of everyone.

"Leader" is the model of the organization and also the symbol. One example of how to work as symbol is making a speech.

Making a speech is the mainly important point as the leader. Making firm relationship with each follower is significant, but also relationship of leader-followers is key of the organization. That means organization is not the group of several couple of friends, it is the unity of people who own the same goal. Speech works to affect the unity.
However, merely making a speech is not effective. The speech have to be done with right words, right tone and confidence. When choosing the words, something encouraging and too emotional ones must be avoided because in that situation, the followers are already trying hard and mentally exhausted.
As the speech is delivered, their final goal must be showed constantly. Like we continue to add fuel to keep the fire, it must continue to carry what make the followers' motivation.