199 – Approach to the south poles apart – Amundsen Scott
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Two explorers from the northern hemisphere set out to be the first to reach the South Pole – Roald Amundsen of Norway and Robert Falconer Scott of England. Their expedition planning, team, equipment and transport selections could not have been more different.
Shawn and Mark discuss the relevance of this story to: corporate culture, knowing your limitations, hand picking your teams and the impact of clear, singular goals on success.
Welcome back to a new Anecdotally Speaking episode.
For your story bank
Tags: workplace culture, know your limitations, teams, goal setting, planning
This story starts at 01:25 and ends at 06:29
Early 1900s – Race to reach the South pole
Robert Falconer Scott UK v Roald Amundsen Norway
Amundsen already traversed South West Passage
Time among Inuit – dogs, skiis, clothing
Scott naval officer – royal appointment
Both commence missions early 1910
Amundsen single focus > pole and back safely
Planning food > eat penguins, then the sled dogs… eeuw!
Amundsen encounters bad storm early – retreats and tries again later
Amundsen reaches pole Dec 11 1914
Not so well for Scott…
Multiple objectives and ‘noble’ mission
Ponies and motorised sleds – die and breakdown – party left to continue on foot
Inadequate food supply
Scott arrives at South Pole one month after Amundsen
On Scott’s return, get to within 12 miles of supply depot, but…
All die in their tents – exhaustion, frostbite, malnutrition
Culture
Know your limitations – learning via immersion
Keep it simple
Get the local knowledge
Hand pick your team
Clear, singular goal >
Too many objectives/stakeholders is dangerous
The importance of planning
Disgust in this story – penguins, then dogs > horror
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