Our Iceberg Is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions

A tough, pragmatic problem-solver, Alice is one of the leaders who’s accessible to the general population of penguins. She hears Fred’s story, visits with him the undersea canals and cracks, and champions his warning at the Leadership Council. Inclined toward impatience but well aware of the need for many contributors, Alice is the type of leader who can spearhead a crisis response in quick time while seeing to it that the project maintains high standards of quality. She has the kind of leadership ability that would give credit to any organization.

Penguin Fred is a nice guy and bright, but he’s a bit of a recluse. He spends lots of time observing the iceberg and the sea around it and taking notes. Though not unpopular, his status is fairly low, so when he warns of an impending disaster, he must struggle to be heard. Fred represents those who think unconventionally and discover flaws in an organization and, in warning others, risk becoming isolated when vested interests campaign against them instead of listening. Freds need high-ranking champions, such as an Alice, on their side.