199 – Approach to the south poles apart – Amundsen Scott

Posted by  Anecdote International —December 7, 2023
Filed in Anecdotes, Podcast

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

About  Anecdote International

Anecdote International is a global training and consulting company, specialising in utilising storytelling to bring humanity back to the workforce. Anecdote is now unique in having a global network of over 60 partners in 28 countries, with their learning programs translated into 11 languages, and customers who incorporate these programs into their leadership and sales enablement activities.

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