The Power of the Personal Interview
- Margot Morrell
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
"I remember the chaos that reigned on board the ship in the harbour at Buenos Aires & the immediate shaping of things to a definite order as soon as he arrived (He joined the ship in B. A. coming out by liner). Port authorities were pacified, help was obtained from the Navy of the Argentine & all facilities granted, all as a result of personal interview. Shackleton was a great believer in the efficacy of personal interview & indeed I think he could persuade anyone to do almost anything if he could once talk to him. There was a mixture of personal magnetism, bluff & blarney that could be irresistible." Reginald James, physicist, Endurance
In this comment, James talks about one of the most useful lessons we can learn from Shackleton.
I've used it many times over the years. Most notably, in 2004 when I was diagnosed with cancer. I was operated on at one NYC hospital and had chemo at another. Despite repeated and frustrating phone calls to the first hospital, they never sent my xrays to the second hospital.
Late on a Friday afternoon, I got a call from the 2nd hospital. They would have to reschedule the first chemo treatment if they didn't get the x-rays. This Shackleton lesson immediately came to mind.
Though I was still recovering from surgery, I got my cane and went off I went to the first hospital. The staff had almost all left for the day but, after multiple explanations, the security team stepped in to help me out.
After some delay, I and a member of the security team went up to the office and there was an envelope with my name on it sitting on top of someone's desk.
I delivered the package to the second hospital that day and my chemo treatments started on time the following week. Thank you, Sir Ernest.
In our world where so many interactions are over the phone or by email, when you really need to get something done, go see the person if possible. Harness the the Power of the Personal Interview to slice through bureaucracy, make a connection, get things done. It's a powerful tool.
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