Leadership lessons from Antarctica: Advice for the 'new normal' from the world's most extreme workplace

Davis Station, Antarctica (Photo: Shutterstock)

In another time and place, before “coronavirus” and “social distancing” became part of the everyday vocabulary, one leader learned crucial lessons that apply to leaders and managers today. Rachael Robertson was the youngest and only second female expedition leader at Davis Station, Antarctica, in charge of leading a diverse workforce in one of the world’s most extreme and isolated workplaces.

She was presented with employees of different professions and skills, from scientists to tradespeople, of different generations, religions, and cultures, and told to “turn them into a team.” The author of two books about her experience, she discussed what it was like to work in the Antarctic as Station Manager of the Australian Antarctic research base–and how the skills and strategies she developed apply in many ways to our here and now.