Shackleton’s Way: Leadership Lessons from the Antarctic Explorer
Ernest Shackleton set out on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1914 with the ambition of becoming the first man to transverse the Antarctic Continent. His ship, the Endurance, got entrapped in ice as they headed towards the South Pole and could therefore not proceed with the journey. Under the leadership of Shackleton, the crew of twenty-seven men managed to safely get back home despite the challenges that they faced along the way. The crew considered Shackleton as being knowledgeable due to his previous sailing experiences and therefore accorded him a lot of respect and considered him as their leader. The technical skills that Shackleton possessed enabled him to command the ship with ease as well as addressing events that came up during the journey. The human skills that he had also assisted him to work in harmony with the crew as they embarked on their journey back home. While Shackleton’s style of leadership did not embrace intimidating, bullying nor looking down upon his crew members, he inspired his crew to work together in order to achieve their goal.
The crew on the Endurance spent nineteen months journeying across the stormy waters, ice and dangerous mountains. During this difficult journey, Shackleton and his crew were faced with numerous disappointments that called for change of action in order to achieve the desired goal. Shackleton and his crew readily admitted that the main goal of the expedition had changed and their main focus was to ensure that they got back home safely as opposed to being the first people to get to the Antarctic Continent. Throughout the journey, Shackleton displayed qualities of resilience and would not give up on achieving the desired goal despite the many obstacles that emerged along the way. They would at times feel like they had escaped from the difficult situations only to face other setbacks ahead. Shackleton and his crew persisted in trying to overcome these obstacles and would at times come up with alternative solutions. This is evident when he decided to head to Elephant Island instead of Palmer Peninsula due to the waves and winds that hindered the travel. Shackleton always ensured that the alternative plan minimized the possible risks that could emerge. For instance, in a move to reach safe land Shackleton sets off with five men leaving the rest at Elephant Island. When he reaches civilization with the team of five men that he had selected, Shackleton makes four attempts so as to rescue the other twenty-two members who had remained behind at Elephant Island and had to abort the first three attempts as they posed risks for the crew and himself. Shackleton was resilient and kept on pursuing the goal of returning home safely despite the setbacks.
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Despite the difficult circumstances that Shackleton and his crew faced, he was always optimistic about overcoming the challenges and portrayed the same attitude to his crew. For instance, when Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance was trapped in ice, he still maintained having a good mood giving hope to his crew that things would become better. When the ship sank, Shackleton observed that they would not be able to cross the Antarctic Continent but there was nothing that they could do about it. Shackleton looked at all situations in an optimistic manner and ensured that he portrayed the same message to his crew.
In his leadership, Shackleton did not seek to control the rest of the crew but rather motivate them and encourage team work. Even during the period when they were trapped in the ice, Shackleton encouraged his crew to participate in games so as to boost their morale. The crew also sang, played instruments and acted on board the Endurance to maintain high spirits. All these worked in motivating the crew members and kept their morale high. One member who was stuck underneath an overturned boat in Elephant Island awaiting to be rescued, termed the day as the happiest day in his life despite the gloom and uncertainty of the prevailing circumstance.
For Shackleton, the needs of his crew came before his own as shown by his desire for the crew to have sufficient clothing even if he did not have any. On the way to Elephant Island, Frank Hurley, the photographer, lost his mittens and Shackleton insisted on giving him his own or else he would throw them in to the sea if he refused. On the way to South Georgia, Shackleton made sure that the crew members got meals regularly and hot milk every four hours so as to ensure that the crew was in good health.
While trapped aboard the Endurance, Shackleton did not discriminate among the crew members and treated them equally. He could be found joking with them, having discussions on assigned roles and even getting their views concerning an issue. Shackleton learned to listen to his crew members and address their individual needs as well as the groups’ needs. He made sure that he got the crew’s views on certain issues even if he did not agree to their suggestions and therefore chose a different form of action. Although Shackleton at times practiced dictatorship in the making of decisions, his actions and decisions ensured the wellbeing of the crew members. His leadership approach utilized the team management approach to ensure the crew’s safety and wellbeing. This joint approach of crew safety, wellbeing and survival, ensured that the crew’s goal was fulfilled. For instance, he decided to make a hoarder in charge of the stores so as to address numerous complaints against the crew member. As a result of this action, there were no more complaints.
As a leader, Shackleton strived to lead his crew by setting an example for them. He did this by demonstrating to the crew how to perform some duties in order to deliver the expected results. When the ship’s decks were being scrubbed, Shackleton participated in the cleaning as well as other duties like carrying out the ship’s maintenance repairs. Due to his experience in sea voyages, Shackleton possessed the knowledge on the workings of the ship and could therefore carry out duties like taking the required measurements.
In conclusion, Shackleton was the most appropriate leader during the expedition as his leadership style proved effective for the situation. Although Shackleton and his men do not get to reach the Antarctic Continent, he provides the best leadership techniques and strategies that ensured his crew’s safety and return home. This is evident in the manner in which he was able to create positive relations with the crew members. The crew members were in turn loyal to their leader and committed to fulfilling the desired goals. Group cohesion was also maintained and Shackleton addressed complaints about crew members in order to resolve any differences. One crew member observed that being in his presence was an experience. Decisions concerning actions that needed to be taken were highly structured in order to ensure success while minimizing risks. When the ice tore through the Endurance and water poured in the proposed solution included pumping water for fifteen minutes then stopping for fifteen minutes and then over the side or back of the engine room. Shackleton ensures that the crew persists until they get back home safely despite the challenges.
References
Capparell, Stephanie & Margot, Morrell (2001), Shackleton’s Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer , Penguin Group
