EKAITZ SAIES

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about Ernest Shackleton’s leadership blueprint. I’ve always been drawn to stories of explorers, adventurers, and mavericks — those who push the boundaries of what’s possible. I was already familiar with the legendary race to the South Pole between Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott and the tragic outcome that followed. However, I hadn’t fully appreciated the stark contrast in their leadership styles and how these may have played a decisive role in their fates.

Last Saturday, while reading Belonging by Owen Eastwood—a book a colleague lent me—I came across a fascinating analysis of how these two explorers approached their mission. What struck me most was how Amundsen’s leadership philosophy resonated with how I try to involve my team in my own plans. His approach was not just about preparation; it was about embedding a shared vision within his team.

This realization led me to explore their leadership styles further. Their story offers timeless lessons for anyone leading a team, whether in business, sports, or extreme environments.

Amundsen’s leadership style was disciplined, strategic, and deeply rooted in preparation. Before even setting foot in Antarctica, his team had already “seen” their path.

• On the voyage from Norway, a large map of Antarctica with their planned route was displayed on the ship.
• Navigation sheets were distributed for the team to study, so they could internalize the journey.
• They committed to a strict discipline: traveling fifteen miles every day, no matter the conditions—a clear, non-negotiable benchmark that created consistency and reduced decision fatigue.

This relentless focus on visioning meant that every team member had a mental blueprint of what success looked like. They weren’t reacting to the environment—they were executing a well-rehearsed plan.

Scott, by contrast, took a command-and-control approach, which kept most strategic decisions centralized.

• The route and tactics were not finalized until their ship reached Antarctica—a stark contrast to Amundsen’s meticulous pre-planning.
• Even after they set off, key information was withheld from the team, keeping them in a constant state of uncertainty.
• There was no set pace. Scott would push hard on some days and rest completely on others, making decisions based on instinct and shifting circumstances.

This lack of structure led to stress and confusion. Unlike Amundsen’s team, which had a clear roadmap and consistent expectations, Scott’s team faced unpredictability—not just from the environment but from their own leadership.

Amundsen’s team had a clear competitive edge before they even stepped onto the ice. They had visualized success, understood the key challenges, and rehearsed their response. In contrast, Scott’s team had to navigate not just the Antarctic terrain but also the ambiguity of their own strategy.

Key Leadership Takeaways

1. Create a Shared Vision: Leaders should not just define the goal but ensure the team can see the path to achieving it.
2. Be Relentlessly Consistent: Predictability in leadership breeds confidence in teams. A clear, repeatable process—like Amundsen’s fifteen-mile rule—builds resilience.
3. Empower with Information: Withholding key details breeds uncertainty and stress. Transparency fosters alignment and accountability.
4. Plan Before You Execute: Reactionary leadership, as seen with Scott, increases risk and erodes team trust. The best leaders prepare their teams long before the real challenge begins.

Amundsen led with vision, creating certainty in an uncertain world. Scott led by reaction, adapting to circumstances without a clear framework. The outcome of their race is a timeless lesson in leadership: the more your team can see and understand the journey ahead, the better prepared they will be to reach their destination.