1. Leadership in Crisis
Sir Ernest Shackleton and the Epic
Voyage of the Endurance
Venkataraman K
Organization Behavior – Assignment # 1, Date:18-Nov-
2014
Alliance University
Alliance School of
Business
2. Overview
Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (Aug,1914 ~ Oct,1916)
Milestones on Polar Expeditions (Mission were aimed to reach south pole)
Objective of Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
The Protagonist : Sir Ernest Shackleton
Preparation for Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
Challenges foreseen by Ernest Shackleton before the expedition
Meticulous & Vital Preparation
Interview while selecting the Scottish Physician Dr.Alexander Macklin
Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
Plan, Problems, Danger & Disaster and Missed Goal
Remembering “Shackleton”
Possible Solution
Leadership in Crisis : Shackleton’ s way (OBHR Concepts)
3. Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
(Aug1914~Oct1916)
Milestones on Polar Expeditions (Mission were aimed to reach south
pole)
In 1895, 6th Geographical congress in London declared that understanding of
Antarctica to be the most urgent scientific issues of the era
Dec 1902, Scott & ES reach southernmost point attained by any expedition
350miles of South pole
April 1909, ES Leads British Antarctic Expedition & trek to within 97miles of south
pole
Dec 1911, Roald Amundsen & his team of 4 becomes 1st to reach south pole
Jan 1912, Scott & his team reach south pole & die on return trek
Objective of Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
Goal is to be first to cross Antarctic Continent
The Protagonist : Sir Ernest Shackleton
Born in 1874 in Ireland & he was enthralled by the idea
of man mastering nature and has fascination for sea
At 16 joined as “boy”, displayed self-confidence, scaled
the maritime ladder and Shackleton’ s audacity earned
him respect and promotions
Within 750 miles all animal
and plant life is nonexistent
4. Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
(Aug1914~Oct1916)
Challenges foreseen by Ernest Shackleton before the expedition
Dealing with Food, Emphasized the value of sugar, No Alcoholic stimulant except
tea/cocoa
Lack of Vitamin C, other nutrition & right combination of food results in many decease like Scurvy
etc
A 19-hour day is to be adhered to and save 25hrs in a week
8 hours of march, 2hrs rest, 1hr preparation & 8hrs sleep
Meticulous & Vital Preparation
Commissioned sealed pills of lemon juice, developed a “Composite Cake” which produce
3000calories per cake with variety of ingredients
Sourced Quality equipment, clothing for the journey & buying only the latest technology in
polar wear
All the 22 crews were handpicked based on qualities of Optimism & Personal trait and
supported by his instinct for judging the character
Interview while selecting the Scottish Physician Dr.Alexander Macklin
ES: Is your eyesight all right?... Why are you wearing spectacles?
Dr.Alexander : Many a wise face would look foolish without spectacles
ES : All right….I’ll take you
5. Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
(Aug1914~Oct1916)
Plan
First Ship (Endurance) to travel into Weddell Sea which bounded Antarctica, deposit a
crew of 6 men who would then journey overland across the continent to the Ross Sea on
the other side. Second Ship would sail directly to Ross Sea and dispatch several men to
lay supply for the second half of the overland party’s trek.
Problem, Danger, Disaster & Missed goal
Jan 10,1915 the crew spotted Antarctica land
“Dawson-Lambton Glacier and the commander
didn’t stop there, hoping instead to land at Vahsel
Bay (200miles southwest) to reduce the overland
crossing distance
Endurance within the sight of the desired landing
point (80miles offshore. Icebergs forced to draw
back from shore)
Wintering on the immobile Endurance till July
13,1915 (Temp -34°C). Boiler fire put off & only
maintenance /ordinary works done
ES worried that unpredictable circular currents of
Weddell sea would carry Endurance to a position
6. Problem, Danger, Disaster & Missed goal
Abandoning Endurance : Million of tons of pack
ice had pressed the ship on all sides & weakened
the timbers
Oct 27,1915, ES ordered crews to abandon the
ship & camped in thick ice nearby (temp -26°C)
ES decided to march the men across the ice in
the hopes of reaching Paulet Island which is
350miles nothwest(to salvage ration from
storehouse of 1903 expedition)
3 boats salvaged from Endurance were filled
with supply till end of the ice pack & launch an
open boat journey to Paulet island
Life on Ice: Nov 1, 1915, set up a permanent
camp(5 tents) & salvaged all the food, wood &
other items from Endurance
Endurance Sinks & Alone on Ice: Vessel’s loss
left a powerful blow to the crew’s morale. April
9,1916 Launched 3 lifeboat to reach Elephant
Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
(Aug1914~Oct1916)
7. Problem, Danger, Disaster & Missed goal
Elephant Island: Men were ecstatic to spot
Elephant island after 16months
Launched a boat to South Georgia(800miles away)
to reach get the rescue. ES with 5 crew men left
for South Georgea on April 24,1916 with ration for
6 weeks
Crew were plagued & fatigue forced ES to land at
west coast(uninhabited) 150miles short of South.
It’s a devil of a risk to claim up-down 5 peak &
finally reach May 20, 1916 South Georgia
Desperately scouted for funds to hire a boat &
reached Elephant Island on Aug 30,1916.
ES was very emotional & restless till he rescued all
the 22men
ES with 8 crew of former Endurance depart London
abroad QUEST as a leader of Shackleton-Rowette
Expedition on 1921 & died of heart attack while
docked at South Georgia island at age 47
Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
(Aug1914~Oct1916)
8. Remembering Shackleton
Dedicated 22yrs of his life on polar work which had
brought him fame & knighthood
Discovered Beardmore Glacier & added 200miles
of Antarctic coastline to the map and conquered
SCURVY
Never lost a man who was under his protection
Fellow crew remember ES: ES was a proud &
dauntless spirited Englishman and demands
compelling loyalty. “We would have gone anywhere
without a question just on his order”
Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
(Aug1914~Oct1916)
9. Possible Solution:
Jan 10,1915 the crew spotted Antarctica land
“Dawson-Lambton Glacier and the commander
didn’t stop there, hoping instead to land at Vahsel
Bay (200miles southwest) to reduce the overland
crossing distance
Had ES launched the boats to Vahsel Bay(Jan
10,1915), he could have easily trekked the
250miles through Land to achieve his goal of first
ever “Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition”
Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
(Aug1914~Oct1916)
10. Diversity & Demography
All 22 crew members were hand picked from 6 different countries like England, Ireland,
Scotland, Australia, New Zealand & United States
Apart from common maritime experience the profession of the crews varied from
Surgeon, Geologist, Meteorologist, Physicist, Biologist, Photographer, Artist, Carpenter &
Cook
Many of them lacked Polar expedition experience & 1st time to see the pack ice, floes &
ice berg
The crew carry a perceived social & professional disparities among themselves
Leadership in Crisis :Shackleton’ s
way
(OBHR Concepts)
Networking & People Skill
First week on board, all the crew members are surprised by interaction ES have had with
them. ES had very intimate discussion with everyone to know about them, their past, skill,
hobby and also shared his love of poetry into conversation on deck.
Quickly the crews gave a good-natured nick-name “Boss”
Attitude, Authentic, Authoritarian & Transformational Leadership
Demanded unquestioning loyalty and responsiveness to his orders, avoiding direct
arguments or negotiations with his men
Wild, Shckleton’s second in command and most trusted mate of crew. The crew
approaches Wild instead of ES on any complaints & problems due to Wild’s
approachability & overall geniality. This helped ES to preserve some distance from the
11. Leadership in Crisis :Shackleton’ s
way
(OBHR Concepts)
Resolving Conflict (Interpersonal)
Wintering on the Endurance
9months long wait on Endurance with its boilers fires off
Dreaded the effects of idleness and boredom on a crew
which has no responsibilities or routine
Insisted to maintain the regular & ordinary duties as closely
as possible like, keeping anchor free of rust, swabbing the
decks/hulls, organizing and rationing supplies and ordered
to hunt for seal/penguin whenever supply of fresh meant
ran low.
Conflicts: Waiting out the winter aboard an inert ship was
extremely unpleasant. Physical & Psychological discomfort
owing to the ….cramping of the work and forced association
with amiable crowd who are not the scientific staff
The situation were tensed & flared up at times, when they
were forced to reconciled to their shared situation when
everyone had different specialties
.
12. Leadership in Crisis :Shackleton’ s
way
(OBHR Concepts)
Resolving Conflict (Interpersonal)
Wintering on the Endurance
Achieving Group Cohesiveness & Establish close
relationship:
Deviation from military/maritime norms, ES had ordered
Officers, Scientists and sailors to share the manual
drudgery on ship equally
For few of them keeping aside the pride of their
caste/position power etc. ., were very tough.
Sharing the labor worked well to extinguish jealousies
among crew and humbled one & knock-out all any last
remnants of false pride.
13. Leadership in Crisis :Shackleton’ s
way
(OBHR Concepts)
Intuitive Decision Making & Motivation
Abandoning Ship, Life on Ice, Fight the Death & Desperation to reach shore
ES Quoted “ I realized the loneliness and penalty of leadership
Intuitive Decision Making
Although Worsley suggested to camp on the nearest floe and wait for the ice drift to carry
them to the island (might be safer),….ES ordered a march on ice by dragging the 3
salvaged boats (with supply) as it ensures the march towards land & safety instead of
idling on ice.
Called off the 1st grueling trek & made a permanent camp (5 tents) and ordered a 2nd
march after realizing a eastward drift of floe.. The 2nd march proved very costly as the
crew were getting Angry, exhaustive, discouraged & plaugued and challenged the
decision of ES.
ES review the situation & announced to pay in full for each day until they reach
safety (legally ES is not obligated to pay the team for their time after the ship was lost)
ES announced the need for change in plan as march didn’t yield much progress and the
crew were seriously worn & strained.. ES has changed the destination 4th time & decided
to use southeast wind to reach Elephant Island
14. Leadership in Crisis
Sir Ernest Shackleton and the Epic
Voyage of the Endurance
Venkataraman K
Organization Behavior – Assignment # 1, Date:18-Nov-
2014
Alliance University
Alliance School of
Business
