Of The Art Of Conversing By Niccolo Machiavelsso Essay

In the essay â€Å"Of the Art of Conversing†, Michel de Montaigne writes We can only improve ourselves in times such as these by walking backward, by discord not by harmony, by being different not by being like. He is assuring the reader that going against the grain is the most beneficial way of living and communicating, and in order to effectively lead people, it is essential for one to be open to change. He asserts that living through chaos is a way to further develop oneself, as outdoor studies majors we often exemplify methods of clashing the norms. The leaders we have studied throughout this semester have often represented the idea of adaptability through leadership set out by Montaigne. Within the essay â€Å"The Prince† by Niccolo†¦show more content†¦The book revolves around the leader of a trans-Atlantic expedition named Ernest Shackleton, who distinguished himself as a hero. Shackleton’s ability to get his men out of the dire situation they were in is owed largely to the qualities he possessed as a leader. Shackleton’s capacity to be decisive but also willing to compromise and adapt had a large contribution to the crew’s survival. When the Endurance became locked in the icy jaws of the sea, the crew was forced to abandon ship and eventually make a perilous journey on lifeboats to South Georgia island. The plan was to make it to the whaling station but due to rough seas the men arrived on the wrong side, Shackleton was equipped to handle this change in plans and made the journey on foot. From Shackletons own words â€Å"The rapidity with which one can completely change one’s ideas. . to a state of barbarism is wond erful.† The first-hand experience I have attained from guiding has taught me plenty about the qualities a competent leader must possess. Great leaders often share the trait of being flexible to better suit the needs of the group as a whole. When I used to guide day trips there were many times where I had to be flexible in order to suit the needs and desires of my clients; a particular time that comes to mind is when I took a group of elderly people out on the Matanuska Glacier. When I met with my group I began to assess their ability levels and planned out there hike accordingly, I