---
name: shackleton-hiring
description: Use when hiring for early-stage high-growth companies, when filtering out comfort-seekers, or when building teams tackling unsolved technical challenges
---

# Shackleton-Style Team Building

## Overview

A high-intensity hiring filter inspired by Ernest Shackleton's Antarctica expedition advertisement. Explicitly discourages those seeking comfort and attracts **obsessive, high-agency generalists** who thrive on urgency.

**Core principle:** Promise difficult missions and honor, not comfort.

## The Filter

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    SHACKLETON JOB AD (1914)                     │
│                                                                  │
│  "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold,     │
│   long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful.        │
│   Honour and recognition in event of success."                  │
│                                                                  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    MODERN EQUIVALENT                            │
│                                                                  │
│  "Long hours, high pace. Candidates must thrive under high      │
│   urgency under AGI timelines approaching. Those seeking        │
│   comfortable work need not apply."                             │
│                                                                  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## Do's and Don'ts

| ✓ Hire For | ✗ Filter Out |
|------------|--------------|
| Thrive under high urgency | Seek comfortable work |
| Seek difficult missions | View role as "just a job" |
| Generalist with one superpower | Narrow craft specialists only |
| Obsess over product & team | Act as "passenger" |

## Common Mistakes

- Hiring for narrow crafts instead of generalist agency
- Failing to set intensity expectations upfront
- Attracting comfort-seekers with generic JDs

---

*Source: Anton Osika (Lovable) via Lenny's Podcast*