'Endurance' was the name of the ship used by Ernst Shackleton and his 27 companions on their incredible Antarctic expedition in 1914. The lessons from their ordeal demonstrate leadership and teamwork at a time of crisis. Despite the very different context, these lessons may feel just as relevant for us as we continue to undertake our own challenges this year.
But first a few words first on the story of this particular crew as read in Alfred Lansing's book 'Endurance'... (jump to the 'Themes' if you don't like spoilers!)
This legendary journey saw the 'Endurance' travel from England to the Antarctic where it became locked/stuck in an incredibly powerful island of ice. The crew unable to free the ship drifted in this ice pack for 9 months which included the 4 months of the polar night - a period where the crew saw no daylight at all.
Helpless to save the ship, it was eventually crushed by the pressures of the moving ice. This forced them to scrape together a life on the ice itself for 4 long months as they tried to survive and search for a way to rescue themselves eating penguins and even their dogs.
The moving ice split into pieces beneath them and somehow they were able to eventually take to their boats and cross the ferocious ocean to set on solid but remote land after 497 days.
However, the journey was not done and with hunger, thirst, frost bite, amputation, storms and unforgiving cold and winds, crossing giant waves and navigating perilous mountains, the crew were finally able to save themselves. A total journey of almost 2 years and 850 miles.
The book is definitely worth a read to get an understanding of the hardships and endurance demonstrated in this epic story.
Themes
There are a number of themes that jumped out the pages. I found it interesting how despite the very different context, these were ideas that we may recognise and might even practice. (Please note that this covers key themes from this story rather than a comprehensive study of how to survive/endure in a crisis.)
Plans had to change rapidly and regularly as the intense environment changed around them. Often this meant returning to previously abandoned ideas. Think OODA!
Sometimes things got worse when attempts were made to improve them, e.g. moving from one ice floe to another
When this happens there might not be an opportunity to go back but there might be something you can salvage, getting stuck in regret can consume you
Use whatever you have for whatever you can, the perfect scenario may never present itself
The small things can have a much bigger impact - reindeer hair in your water is not fun
Even in a crisis, sometimes, some people will just not pull their weight no matter what you say and do, learn to deal with it and carry on
Work within clearly communicated constraints but within that let people figure out how to implement e.g. sugar cubes and 'food pooling'
Leadership has to make decisions - will not always be the correct ones, but decisions do need to be made, indecision can be fatal! People will look to the leader for behaviours and attitudes.
Doing nothing, standing still - can be very difficult. Having something to do can distract the mind from hardships and give a sense of momentum
In crisis, habits can create comfort, even when they are ritual only, thats ok.
The Team - all about the team, caring for each other, camaraderie can really help pull you through
Good leadership recognises people and their needs. It can see those that will cause issues and enables working with them differently - e.g. sleeping arrangements and who to take along the final trip to try and ensure group harmony
Note: Photos from the films saved from the Expedition, taken from various online sources. Illustration by Agile Business Transformations.
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