Five Seconds At A Time: How Leaders Can Make the Impossible Possible

by Denis Shackel, Tara Bradacs

When a tragic mountain-climbing accident left business professor Denis Shackel stranded on Mount Ruapehu in New Zealand, he turned to the leadership principles he'd been teaching for years to survive the longest night of his life.Alone, with temperatures plunging to -30 degrees Celsius, Shackel managed to stay alive. He broke the night into five thousand five-second intervals, and chose to deal with only one interval at a time -- a strategy based on the effective leaders' practice of breaking big challenges into smaller, more manageable ones. Shackel emerged from this harrowing experience having cemented his belief that the principles fundamental to leadership are also the key to tackling any challenge. Since then, he has been helping students, executives and corporations use the proven "five seconds at a time" approach to achieve success in business and in life.At a time when many leaders are feeling overwhelmed, Five Seconds at a Time provides effective tools and strategies to excel. With its compelling mix of survival stories, leadership principles and inspiring case studies, this book will inspire readers to achieve the seemingly impossible.

Genres: Leadership, Business

202 pages, Hardcover

First published June 8, 2010

Reviews

[Kristi Gibson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book contained no originality, no great insight, but rather was filled with regurgitated concepts, childish drivel, over-used exclamation marks, and considerable preaching. There is no doubt that this man was faced with a tremendous horror, but the things he takes from it only seem to perpetuate his prior beliefs and further his business background of exploiting consumerism. The first chapter was remarkably hard hitting, but the rest felt like he was rewriting an old textbook, shamelessly referencing his experience or belief in God whenever possible.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a number of leadership books, but never before have I read one that so accurately captures my own style of leadership. I could have written many sections of this book, so closely was it aligned with my own principles. So why four stars instead of five? The author makes a bit of a stretch in places to parallel leadership with the experience chronicled at the beginning of the book of his climb up Mt. Ruapehu, and there was just a bit too much God-talk in it for me to endorse it fully. That said, he acknowledges that faith comes in many forms, and that was his particular experience with it. It was an all-around solid book, and I obviously endorse the leadership principles outlined - they've worked for me!

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great gem. It reminded me of the best part of several other books that I've read in the past. A really great motivator for triumphing over adversity and choosing be a better person along the way. A reminder that when the going gets tough and you don't know what to do; take a step back, take a breath, think, then move forward again from a clearer perspective. Love this book!!!

[Jean Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lessons learned from a near death experience, are presented in practical ways to live in this powerful true story. As a tool for leaders in all walks of life and as a guide to how to use our leadership capabilities day to day, Five Seconds at a Time is a must-read.

[North Perth Public Library]

I am amazed by the premis and awed by the story. Its like falling snow it just keeps getting deeper and deeper. This book will definately require a re-read.

[Marie Mclean]

a very motivational book with principles and lessons very applicable to anhyone's life

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://njr-runningfree.blogspot.com/2...

[Glennie Mercer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leadership with a spititual component and some very practical strategies - an interesting mix.

Particularly liked the segment on "habits"