Critical Thinking and Physical Conditions
Stating the Problems: When leading the team towards adventure, Shackleton used the see-I Model in various instances through his compelling story of leadership even when disaster stroke again and again. For instance, Shackleton was able to respond to changing circumstances because despite the fact that his mission just started as an exploration adventure, it quickly became a mission of survival. Therefore, Shackleton had to apply various tactics in order to survive. As a result, when Shackleton expedition encountered serious problems, he was forced to reinvent the goals of the team. The see-I-Model was, therefore, used exhaustively by Shackleton when as a leader. He was forced to change course during the journey by jettisoning his earlier success standards and then eventually, redefined his purpose and plans (Koehn, 2010).
Elaborating the Problem: Despite the fact that Shackleton’s expedition was initially judged as full of colossal failure because none of the twenty eight crew members ever reached on the Antarctica continent, Shackleton can still serve as a good role model. As a sign of bravery, Shackleton refused listening to the advice of the local seamen. He was urged him to postpone the voyage due to the presence of thick pack ice that was unusual and was likely to trap their ship especially if there was a sudden drift in temperatures and wind. However, he did not heed to it. Shackleton ordered the ship to continue with the venture on the South and the predicaments of the local seamen came to pass.
Exemplification: The See-I-Model and the circle of element were used exhaustively by Shackleton during the voyage. Shackleton was known to have greatly feared the potential impacts of ennui, idleness and dissidence among his team compared to the cold and ice. He was also capable of managing the collective fear that threatened the continuation of the journey through the orders, routines and constant interactions. The see-I-model and circle of element was also used by Shackleton upon his realization that in such an environment, without supports and traditional benchmarks, then his greatest enemies of development were high levels of disengagement and anxiety and pessimism.
The see-I-model and circle of element was highly depicted by Shackleton when the men became stranded on the ice and only remained with 3 small lifeboats. Upon the realization, Shackleton asserted that he had to embody a new mission of survival through not only what he both said and did, but also through the energy that he exuded and through his physical bearing. Shackleton, therefore, managed his own personal emotional intelligence by keeping his own confidence and courage high. The see-I-model and circle of element is highly depicted by Shackleton when he successfully kept the focus of his team on the future despite the fact that their previous plans were irrelevant, and the ship was also gone. As a result, Shackleton remained with the major goal of ensuring that his men were brought back home safely. He, therefore, not only improvised and adapted solutions to ensure this was achieved, but he also ensured each and every resource at hand was used in achieving it.
Illustration: Shackleton began his expedition at a time when winter was just about. In fact, winter found them on high seas. Therefore, it was cold most of the times with temperatures on the negative. Night temperatures were reported to fall as low as negative twenty seven degrees Celsius . The crew had to convert the ship into living quarters where they would heat coal and use paraffin for lighting in order to keep warm. At night, they spend most of their time reading, writing diaries, playing chess and cards and listening to music. However, with time the winter took toll on the ship. The rudder of the ship was ripped that made it to start leaking. Despite the efforts of the team to save the boat under the guidance of Shackleton, the ship finally gave in and was completely shuttered.
Consequently, the mission of the crew turned to survival in the harsh conditions with limited resources. The team was forced to spend nights on ice. There was also frequent snow falls during the expedition. The team survived on seal steak and canned food. Shackleton was determined to use the resources they had to survive. He kept the team busy. One group used to do the cooking; another team used to hunt for seals while another team melted the ice so that they could have drinking water. However, the physical conditions got worse. The team had to endure waves that reached up to 90 feet and hurricane-intensity winds. The harsh physical conditions took toll on the crew. There were several cases of saltwater boils, frostbites, and swollen legs. The team eventually managed to get back to England. Shackleton was highly in debts as a result of the cost of the expedition which made him experience financial difficulties. However, he is celebrated as one the great explorers.
References
Koehn, N. (2010). Leadership in Crisis: Ernest Shackleton and the Epic Voyage of the Endurance. New York: Harvard Business School.
