How did he keep the hopes of his men from fizzling out? First, he modeled optimism. Shackleton, who once described optimism as “true moral courage,” always believed he and his crew would survive, and his optimism was contagious. He communicated that optimism to everyone around him. Second, he nurtured his men’s sense of significance. He kept everyone involved by seeking their opinions and by giving them tasks that made them feel like they were part of the solution. He also encouraged them with humor