199 – Approach to the south poles apart – Amundsen Scott

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