To survive the rough seas of today's business world, take lessons from the past.

If you are interested in leadership and team building that transcends even the business gurus, dive into In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick, winner of the National Book Award. The harrowing tale recounts the true story of the crew of the ill-fated whaleship Essex, cast into the sea after their 238-ton ship was rammed and sunk by a monster whale in 1820.

The book details the fascinating and harsh reality of the whaling era, an age where men traveled to the farthest reaches of the Pacific in search of the largest mammals on Earth. While this riveting tale transports you to a bygone era, it also offers a series of insights into the management and teamwork skills you need today to achieve any great feat.

Set big goals. It is difficult to think of a more ambitious goal than the one set by Nantucket whalers. The objective was simple: the whaleship would not return to port until all of her barrels were filled with oil, the equivalent of 80 whales. Finding enough whales took years of effort. Stockholders financed the ships and expected to earn a profit upon its return. The whalemen themselves did not receive wages, but rather shares in the total take, with food, supplies, and clothing deducted with interest by the ships' owners. If the sailors had paused to think about how foolhardy their business plan sounded, the ships might never have bothered to leave port. Yet the mansions that had sprung up along the seaboard were testaments to the riches to be gained in seeking one's fortune in the sea. Have you thought about venturing into uncharted waters? Is there an untapped niche you would like to pursue? When building your own business plan take inspiration from these hardy souls who stopped at nothing to achieve success.

Challenges await you. The book outlines a grim scenario, where Captain Pollard and the crew of the Essex found themselves stranded in three small whaleboats. After salvaging what they could from the partially submerged wreck of the Essex, the crew then weighed its options. Pollard wanted to head for a nearby island. The two mates disagreed, believing the island to be inhabited by cannibals. They wanted to take their chances with the known terrors of the open ocean. Pollard grudgingly decided to agree with the two mates.

	The [whaling] profession is one of great ambition, and full of honorable excitement: a tame man is never known amongst them. —Owen Chase, first mate of the whaleship Essex

What followed was a grueling three-month odyssey across thousands of miles in the Pacific Ocean. As their food and water dwindled, the crew was forced to draw lots to determine who would live. The business world can exact its own tolls. A sudden market shift can appear out of nowhere like the tail of an enraged whale and dash your marketing plans to pieces. A merger can strike like a squall, capsizing a department run by an inattentive crew. What decisions have you been forced to make? Ending a relationship with a partner, employee or even a clientare all difficult choices. What decisions loom in the future? How prepared are you?

The team is everything. The whaleship was a complex machine that could not function without a tight team. Once the ship set sail, the success and failure of the mission was wholly dependent on the collective skills of the crew. At sea, vigilance was required to keep a sharp lookout for whales. Men would climb high up the masts, braving seasickness and acrophobia for a two-hour shift looking for the tell-tale spout of a pod of whales. A boatsteerer was one of the most responsible members of the ship's crew. He had to be a skilled harpooner to fasten his whaleboat to the whale, and an able boat-handler to maneuver the tiny craft, while the mate wielded a lance against an enraged leviathan. A lapse in judgment could cost them a whale, or even their lives. A successful team is one where roles are rehearsed and understood until they have become second nature. Take time to work with your team, encouraging every member's education and growth. Find the right people with the talent and dedication you need by anticipating the skills your practice will require. Whaleship crews knew the importance of a good carpenter even though his skills may not have been needed until months into the voyage. Make sure the responsibilities of that area are aligned with each individual's strengths. There should be open communication and ongoing cross-training, so that team members can back up one another.

Reward talent accordingly. Whaleships were an oasis of diversity and equality not found elsewhere at the time. Aboard ship, Caucasians, Africans, and Indians received equal base compensation. If you could hurl a harpoon with unflinching accuracy, you got the coveted job of harpooner along with the bonus pay and status. The important thing to a captain was that in a difficult situation the task would be done right, no matter who did it. You had the same opportunity to invest your earnings and rise through the ranks as others. Members of a team will be more motivated if they see equitable rewards for their efforts. A monthly bonus system can motivate a team to reach production goals. Continue honing skills by looking for opportunities to attend conferences and training classes.

No excuse not to succeed. Once whales were sighted by the lookouts in the masts, whaleboats of six men, an officer and 5 oarsmen each with specific duties, were dispatched to give chase. The whaleboat crews prided themselves on speed and pulled at the oars for distances of a mile, racing to see which would be the first to reach a whale and fasten a harpoon to the 60-ton behemoth. Despite differences among crewmates aboard ship, on a whaleboat absolute cohesion was a must for survival. "A dead whale or a stove boat" was their motto. There were no excuses not to participate; many of the men who set out in whaleboats could not even swim. Have you avoided certain business opportunities because you felt you didn't have the experience or qualifications?

Remember those who support you. Vital to the success of the whaling team were the women who remained home for years at a time running the island, in the absence of their husbands, brothers, and fathers. After a three-year voyage, a whaler might be home for five months before shipping out again. While women were not permitted aboard whaling ships (with the exception of captains' wives), they ultimately kept the island economy humming by assuming roles in government, education, and business, responsibilities unusual for women to hold elsewhere. An advisor relies equally on the support of the team and family members who take care of responsibilities on the home front. Thank your supporters by sponsoring something fun such as a sporting event, dinner, or a visit to your local theater.

Success does not come easy. Many of the tasks aboard a whaleship defied comparisons to modern day working life, whether stripping a whale carcass, boiling blubber, or working the sails, the two dozen crewmembers of a whaleship knew that nothing short of hard work and perseverance would see them through. Some of the men reveled in the risk of whaling, but more often than not it was a profession of endless weeks of tedium, punctuated by danger. Life on a whaleship was a miserable existence, and there were a thousand reasons to complain, not to mention the real danger to life and limb. Discipline was often harsh, and the conditions cramped, wet, and odious. You too, have challenges. Building a business is a formidable task. As a rookie, you may feel disheartened by some of the chores involved in your own career, from cold calling to paperwork. As a veteran, you may feel bored by the repetitive nature of some of the responsibilities of your profession. It is important to remember that the human spirit is conditioned to thrive on challenges, and as long as you seek new horizons, your adventurous spirit is certain to be rewarded.