Month: March 2025

Harnessing Focus; What Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition Taught Me

On By Joe DeRosaIn LeadershipLeave a comment

I believe success in any endeavor—business, personal growth, or leadership—begins with a singular element: focus. Without it, energy is scattered, priorities drift, and progress stalls. But focus is more than simply paying attention; it’s the discipline of aligning your habits, behaviors, and determination toward a well-defined goal.

Throughout my leadership career, I’ve emphasized to my teams the critical importance of focus. Establishing clear goals, cultivating the right habits to achieve them, and, most importantly, developing the inner fortitude to stay on course when the unexpected happens and threatens to derail our plans, are essential components of effective leadership.  And, since all leaders face unexpected surprises, improving your focus capabilities will help you become a better leader. Focus pertains to our ability to concentrate, while inner fortitude reflects our resilience when unforeseen obstacles arise—a scenario all leaders inevitably face.​

One of the greatest testaments to focus and inner fortitude is Ernest Shackleton’s legendary Antarctic expedition, chronicled in Endurance. When his ship became trapped in the ice, Shackleton didn’t waver. He shifted his focus from exploration to survival, leading his crew across arguably the most remote and hostile part of the Earth for nearly two years. His ability to set a new goal and maintain unwavering determination saved their lives. Shackleton’s leadership exemplifies the power of focus combined with tenacity, perseverance, and an unrelenting will to succeed.​

In our daily lives, achieving focus requires more than motivation, it requires habits and behaviors that reinforce discipline. Start with a clear goal. Define it with specificity. Then, create triggers or routines that support it. Whether it’s blocking time for critical meetings, conducting follow-up, eliminating distractions , or maintaining physical and mental strength, your behaviors must align with your objective. As an example, for years, I’ve laid out my workout clothes at the bottom of the bed. When I wake up, the first thing I see is my gear, which acts as a trigger that drives my behavior to immediately get to my work out. A work-related habit I’ve used over the years is to create my “next-day” priorities that start with the most difficult actions first thing in the morning when I’m at my sharpest. The list has clear and specified goals or priorities for the day, and serves as my trigger when I arrive at my desk in the morning. It is a focus-enabler.

Determination fuels focus, but tenacity sustains it. I’ve observed these traits in great leaders because they have the ability to push forward when motivation fades. This is why Shackleton’s journey resonated so much with me as a leadership lesson: Set your goal, adapt when necessary, but never lose focus. Whether in business, fitness, or personal development, success is reserved for those who define their purpose and relentlessly pursue it. Start today, stay locked in, and stay tenacious.

Why Every Leader Needs a “Swim Buddy” for Success

On By Joe DeRosaIn LeadershipLeave a comment

You might be curious about the connection between a “swim buddy” and leadership. At its most basic definition, a swim buddy is someone who swims alongside you, ensuring safety and offering encouragement. In broader terms, a swim buddy represents a person who supports you unconditionally, regardless of the situation. In the military, particularly among Navy SEALs, the swim buddy system is essential. It emphasizes safety, accountability, and motivation, especially during challenging times. Essentially, a swim buddy’s role is to keep you alive and moving forward.

Over the years, I’ve immersed myself in numerous military-themed books, gaining insights, picking up new skills, and expanding my leadership capabilities by applying the practices and attitudes I was reading about from these frontline operators to Commanders in Chief.

While I’ve extensively read about Navy SEALs—arguably among our premier military operators—the profound connection between a swim buddy and leadership crystallized for me when I recently read Admiral William H. McRaven’s book, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog. McRaven describes a swim buddy as “someone who could bail you out of a tough situation.” He emphasizes that no leader is capable or strong enough to withstand the daily pressures of leadership alone.

This perspective prompted me to reflect on the significance of my own swim buddies throughout my career. A common thread among them is trust. This trust fosters an environment where complete, and sometimes brutally honest, feedback is possible, which is essential for personal and professional growth. It allows one to “accept both their support and criticism with equal grace.” Simply said, career swim buddies are there to push you forward and stop you from wallowing in self-pity when times are tough. Ultimately, your swim buddy will help you make better decisions as a leader.

Every leader faces challenges such as missed deadlines, economic downturns, unmet sales targets, or declining employee morale. I’ve encountered these adversities, often simultaneously. Reflecting on my career, I recognize that my achievements would have been significantly diminished without the invaluable support of my swim buddies over the years. Their presence provided not only practical assistance but also the emotional resilience needed to navigate complex situations which only become more common as your leadership level rises.

​In leadership, having a trusted partner—a “swim buddy”—is invaluable. These individuals offer safety, accountability, and motivation, helping improve your decision making capabilities and drive better outcomes.