Shackleton: Escape from Antarctica | Shohei Onishi (Dean, Graduate School of Health Management)
November 21, 2006
This is an adventure film about Sir Ernest Shackleton, who, amidst the outbreak of World War I in 1914, attempted to cross the Antarctic continent after having conceded the great achievement of reaching the South Pole to Scott. Ernest Shackleton organized an Antarctic expedition and set sail from Buenos Aires aboard the ship Endurance, but they became trapped in the ice. The trapped ship was crushed by the ice and sank. The captain and crew were forced to live on the ice, and the plan to cross the continent was abandoned. Their subsequent escape in search of rescue became an extreme ordeal. They were only allowed to carry what was absolutely essential for survival. This included parting with the beloved cat that was like family by having to kill it, and the heart-wrenching decision for the expedition's photographer to select only a few of his precious photographic negatives. After a grueling march, dragging a heavy small boat in search of the coastline, they set out into the rough seas. They finally reached an island, but some of the crew were too exhausted to continue. They were left behind with those who could support them, while the remaining six with enough strength set sail again, battling the rough seas toward an island with a whaling station. They eventually washed ashore on the island with the whaling station. However, they had landed on the opposite side of the island from the station. To reach it, they had to cross a mountain range. Selecting the three fittest men, they trekked through the pathless terrain and finally found rescue.
All the crew members left behind were safe. During the escape, some of the crew were on the verge of losing hope and becoming desperate. However, the leader, Ernest Shackleton, spoke with all his might, saying, "My mission is to bring every single one of you back to Britain safely," and restored the crew's unity. His decisions as a leader in numerous difficult situations were extremely effective. What did he do? First, he set a goal that the crew could focus on. He led his men by setting a meaningful objective: to live on the ice floe and then escape by boat once the ice began to break up. Next, he gave everyone a rewarding job to do. He had them regularly record meteorological data, and organized dog-sled races and soccer games on the ice. He also alleviated the crew's frustrations and anxieties through individual tasks, exercise, and entertainment, such as putting on plays. And finally, the leader and the crew lived as equals. Everyone was treated equally, without distinction.
This film teaches us about the nature of leadership. To reiterate, it shows how important the three points of setting goals, providing meaningful work, and ensuring equality are. Amidst the many discussions on leadership theory, I hope you will watch this film and find it insightful.
(Posted: November 21, 2006)