Leading in truly tough conditions

I just finished listening to an astonishing story, Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Journey by Alfred Lansing, on Audible.

I was familiar with the heroic tale of Shackleton leading five men, in a 20 ft lifeboat, across treacherous seas to get help to rescue the rest of his crew. They somehow navigated the little craft 720 miles to South Georgia and then traversed the island to its only habitation at Stromness. I had not realized that when their ship, the Endurance, became frozen in an ice floe, the crew spent 15 months living, first on the ship, then in tents on an ever-diminishing ice floe, before having to flee in their lifeboats to Elephant Island, an even more inhospitable place. The remaining crew waited four months after Shackleton left before their rescue came. Despite incredible hardships – lack of supplies, frigid winter storms, dangerous ever-changing ice conditions, limited equipment, no communication – every one of them survived.

The book, first published 60 years ago, was based on some first hand accounts and the diaries of some of the men. Its style reflects a little of the age but it’s a tremendous read/listen and beautifully read by Simon Prebble.

Thanks to Antarctic Mike (Mike Pierce), one of many great TEC Canada speakers, for encouraging me to read the story.

#leadership #shackleton #endurance