IGNITE: By Endurance We Conquer

[Photo: Gannett Glacier Fire Crew]

“Fortitudine Vincimus”

(by endurance we conquer) 

- Ernest Shackleton -

"By Endurance We Conquer" - Sir Ernest Shackleton (Part 10)

"We've got to take a risk. Are you game?" ~ Sir Ernest Shackleton

(Chilean steamer Yelcho used to rescue the men from Elephant Island, Cool Antarctic website)

With the James Caird and crew safely on land, Shackleton attempts to rescue his crew from Elephant Island. Ice once again threatens to stand between the crew on Elephant Island and home.

Once rescued, the crew must assimilate back into society--a mad world at war.

Click here to preview Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic Part 10 of 11

Thoughts to Ponder

• The Elephant Island crew all but gives up on Shackleton and the hope for rescue. What keeps a person going forward in the face of adversity?
• How does a crew assimilate back into "normalcy" after such a horrific event?
• How does perspective play into the transition back into society?
• Was Shackleton right in withholding the Polar Medal from Holness, Vincent, McNish, and Stephenson?

Additional Information

• Part 1 of this blog series
• Part 2 of this blog series
• Part 3 of this blog series
• Part 4 of this blog series
• Part 5 of this blog series
• Part 6 of this blog series
• Part 7 of this blog series
• Part 8 of this blog series
• Part 9 of this blog series
• Cool Antarctica: Ernest Shackleton, Endurance, Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-17.
• NOVA's Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance

"By Endurance We Conquer" - Sir Ernest Shackleton (Part 9)

"We've got to take a risk. Are you game?" ~ Sir Ernest Shackleton

(Panorama view of South Georgia Island, Frank Hurley photo from Shackleton's book South, The Encyclopedia of Earth website)

Part 9 of our series sees Shackleton and the James Caird crew encounter more challenges before reaching the Fortuna Bay whaling station on South Georgia Island.

Click here to preview Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic Part 9 of 11

Thoughts to Ponder

• What type of cohesion binds your team? How far would you go for your fellow firefighter?
• Wag Dodge, Incident Commander on the Mann Gulch, attempted to get his crew to follow him into his escape fire to no avail. Why did Shackleton's crew follow him?
• Shackleton musters the ability to organize the search party. What causes a leader to dig so deep for the life of a crew member? Have you encountered a leader who gave their all for the crew?

Additional Information

• Part 1 of this blog series
• Part 2 of this blog series
• Part 3 of this blog series
• Part 4 of this blog series
• Part 5 of this blog series
• Part 6 of this blog series
• Part 7 of this blog series
• Part 8 of this blog series
• Cool Antarctica: Ernest Shackleton, Endurance, Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-17.
• NOVA's Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance

"By Endurance We Conquer" - Sir Ernest Shackleton (Part 8)

"Shackleton's greatest characteristic was the ability to compel loyalty even against his men's better judgment." ~ Roland Huntford, polar historian

(Artist rendering of the crew aboard the James Caird in heavy seas, Cool Antarctica website)

In Part 8 of "Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic," Shackleton, McNeish, Crean, McCarthy, Vincent, and Worsley set sail on an extraordinary journey of survival in the James Caird. 

Click here to preview Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic Part 8 of 11

Thoughts to Ponder

• Wildland firefighters are often said to have "can do" attitudes. How does this relate to the tenacity of the James Caird crew? Give examples of how tenacity has worked positively on your crew.
• Worsley's insight to convert the James Caird into a sailboat was heroic. Have you had a crew member who provided great leadership and innovation during a crisis situation?

Additional Information

• Part 1 of this blog series
• Part 2 of this blog series
• Part 3 of this blog series
• Part 4 of this blog series
• Part 5 of this blog series
• Part 6 of this blog series
• Part 7 of this blog series
• Cool Antarctica: Ernest Shackleton, Endurance, Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-17.
• NOVA's Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance

"By Endurance We Conquer" - Sir Ernest Shackleton (Part 7)

"Shackleton had saved his men. In a sense he had gotten them all alive out of the ice and one terra firma, but now how to get back to civilization." ~ Roland Huntford, polar historian

(Men left on Elephant Island, Cool Antarctica website)

After seven bleak days at sea, the crew touches land for the first time in 497 days in Part 7 of "Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic."  Although on land, the party is in bad shape and conditions uninhabitable. Shackleton makes the decision to fetch help by setting sail in the James Caird with a few of the crew.

Click here to preview Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic Part 7 of 11

Thoughts to Ponder

• Shackleton makes a bold decision to fetch help and break up the crew. What do you think of his plan? Discuss his decision with others.
• What do you think about Shackleton's selection of the members he chose to sail for help? Have you dealt with difficult personalities on your team?
• Shackleton redeems members of the crew who had been demoted. How do you feel about giving members of your team a second chance?
• What do you think of Shackleton's leaving Wilde to lead the crew on Elephant Island?

 Information

• Part 1 of this blog series
• Part 2 of this blog series
• Part 3 of this blog series
• Part 4 of this blog series
• Part 5 of this blog series
• Part 6 of this blog series
• Cool Antarctica: Ernest Shackleton, Endurance, Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-17.
• NOVA's Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance

"By Endurance We Conquer" - Sir Ernest Shackleton (Part 6)

"Shackleton's greatest characteristic was the ability to compel loyalty even against his men's better judgment." ~ Roland Huntford, polar historian

Part 6 of "Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic," presents what many of the crew said was their most challenging experience of the entire journey. Due to disintegration of the ice, the men set sail in life boats in hope of reaching land. Afloat, the men come near their breaking points.  Shackleton's continued determination to keep morale high and Orde-Lees' rising during the crisis to help save lives gave the men hope.

(The crew with life boats: Dudley Docker, James Caird, and Stancomb Wills, Cool Antarctica website)

Click here to preview Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic Part 6 of 11

Thoughts to Ponder

• When moments get tough, what do you do as a leader to keep your crew calm?
• Do you have a flame burning deep within you (a passion) for your people and your leadership?
• What tools do you have in your leadership toolbox to engage the member of the crew who doesn't want to be a team player?

Additional Information

• Part 1 of this blog series
• Part 2 of this blog series
• Part 3 of this blog series
• Part 4 of this blog series
• Part 5 of this blog series
• Cool Antarctica: Ernest Shackleton, Endurance, Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-17.
• NOVA's Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance

"By Endurance We Conquer" - Sir Ernest Shackleton (Part 5)

"Shackleton's greatest characteristic was the ability to compel loyalty even against his men's better judgment." ~ Roland Huntford, polar historian

Ocean Camp
Source: Cool Antarctic

Part 5 of "Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic," presents Shackleton with his biggest challenge: keeping crew morale high. Shackleton becomes ill and resigns himself to his tent. When he emerges, he gives his men purpose: to reach land. McNish becomes insubordinate and Shackleton's decision-making comes into question.

Click here to preview Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic Part 5 of 11

Push to land
Source: James Caird Society

Thoughts to Ponder

• How do you deal with subordinates who challenge authority?
• Was Shackleton's optimism a strength or weakness?
• "No leader on the edge of survival can tolerate the least threat to his authority." (Roland Huntford, polar historian)  Harry McNish becomes insubordinate and a threat to crew cohesion following Shackleton's decision to renew the march to land and rejection of McNish's proposal to build a sloop with the ship's wreckage. Lionel Greenstreet openly questions Shackleton's judgment. How do you handle subordinates who question your judgment?

Additional Information

• Part 1 of this blog series
• Part 2 of this blog series
• Part 3 of this blog series
• Part 4 of this blog series
• Cool Antarctica: Ernest Shackleton, Endurance, Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-17.
• NOVA's Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance

"By Endurance We Conquer" - Sir Ernest Shackleton (Part 4)

"Shackleton’s name lives on as a synonym for courage, bravery and most of all, leadership. Out of his biggest disaster came his greatest victory which enabled the world to understand his true virtues of endurance, optimism, hope, fortitude, fortune and grace." ~ EnduranceRow.com

(Source: Cool Antarctic)

In the fourth installment of "Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic," the crew is forced to abandon ship. Shackleton resigns himself to the fact that the original mission to reach the pole is over. His new mission becomes crew survival. 

Click here to preview Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic Part 4 of 11 

Thoughts to Ponder

• Have you been in a desperate situation that required a leader to give up something important to them for the sake of the crew?
• If you had to make a tough call on the fireline between self and crew, could you do it?
• Contemplate Shackleton's decision to destroy the negatives so that Hurley was not tempted to rescue them at a later date.

Additional Information

• Part 1 of this blog series
• Part 2 of this blog series
• Part 3 of this blog series
• Cool Antarctica: Ernest Shackleton, Endurance, Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-17.
• NOVA's Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance

"By Endurance We Conquer" - Sir Ernest Shackleton (Part 3)

"Shackleton’s name lives on as a synonym for courage, bravery and most of all, leadership. Out of his biggest disaster came his greatest victory which enabled the world to understand his true virtues of endurance, optimism, hope, fortitude, fortune and grace." ~ EnduranceRow.com

Tom Crean and puppies
Source: Cool Antarctica

Our third installment of "Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic" presents a lesson in respect.  Shackleton continues to show leadership during the crisis by building the team. Shackleton places the crew's welfare above his own.

Click here to preview Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic Part 3 of 11 

Thoughts to Ponder

• Do your subordinates respect your? What do you do to command respect?
• Do you put the needs of your subordinates above your own?
• Have you had to make tough leadership lessons to build the team? Are you prepared to act forcefully with your crew when needed?
• What do you do to build crew morale and unity?

Additional Information

• Part 1 of this blog series
• Part 2 of this blog series
• Cool Antarctica: Ernest Shackleton, Endurance, Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-17.
• NOVA's Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance

"By Endurance We Conquer" - Sir Ernest Shackleton (Part 2)

"Shackleton’s name lives on as a synonym for courage, bravery and most of all, leadership. Out of his biggest disaster came his greatest victory which enabled the world to understand his true virtues of endurance, optimism, hope, fortitude, fortune and grace." ~ EnduranceRow.com

(Source: Cool Antarctic)

In our second installment of "Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic" presents Sir Ernest Shackleton with a crisis situation: the crew abandons the Endurance when the ship becomes stuck in pack ice. Shackleton refuses to show his crew signs of rage or disappointment. We also get a glimpse of how the importance of team dynamics as one leads during a crisis situation.

Click here to preview Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic
Part 2 of 11 

Thoughts to Ponder

• Have you been in a situation where your greatness as a leader was needed in the face of a crisis? What leadership traits allowed you to lead during the crisis? 
• During the crisis, how important is the team member that everyone hates (e.g., Thomas Orde-Lees)?

Additional Information

• Part 1 of this blog series
• Cool Antarctica: Ernest Shackleton, Endurance, Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-17.
• NOVA's Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance

"By Endurance We Conquer" - Sir Ernest Shackleton (Part 1)

"Shackleton’s name lives on as a synonym for courage, bravery and most of all, leadership. Out of his biggest disaster came his greatest victory which enabled the world to understand his true virtues of endurance, optimism, hope, fortitude, fortune and grace." ~ EnduranceRow.com

(Source: Wikipedia)

The leadership lessons of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton have long been talked about within the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP). Shackleton was a born leader driven by ambition and quest for adventure during a time of when polar exploration made explorers worldly heroes.  In this 11-part video series (each approximately 10 minutes long) on YouTube, we will study Shackleton's leadership during crisis of the Endurance Expedition where the quest to traverse across Antarctica gave way to a mission of crew survival. 

Click here to preview Endurance--Shackleton & the Antarctic
Part 1 of 11 

Thoughts to Ponder

• Sir Ernest Shackleton had failed at previous missions. What (good or bad) makes a leader move forth even in the light of uncertainty and previous failure?
• Shackleton hand-picked his crew of 27 from a list of 5,000. How important is having the people you trust a part of your team?
• "Sometimes I think I'm no good at anything but being away in the wilds." What was Shackleton searching for?
• Knighthood didn't seem enough for Shackleton. His need to do something no other human being had done--being the first to traverse the Antarctic on foot--seemed to consume his ambition. Have you seen examples of this leadership?

Additional Reading

The WFLDP Professional Reading Program features two books about his leadership in the Wildland Book on Books: 

• Alfred Lansing. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage (retired in 2011). 
• Margot Morrell and Stephanie Capparell. Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer.