The Power of Storytelling in Leadership Development
How the adventures (and misadventures) of the polar explorers can teach us to lead better.
Nobody can deny that leadership development programmes can feel a little dry at times. Beyond classroom learning, putting in place strategies, frameworks, and competencies, an effective leadership programme requires the participant to learn resilience, vision, empathy, and the ability to navigate uncertainty—qualities that often emerge through experience, but can also be taught through storytelling.
So, we had a thought, what if we made a leadersip programme a little more interesting with a few daring tales of adventure, extreme hardship, and the kind of leadership that meant either keeping your crew alive or getting stuck in an iceberg for a year?
Enter the brave (and occasionally reckless) polar explorers. They weren’t just leaders—they were pioneers who charted the unknown, often with nothing but a compass, a questionable plan, and, in some cases, way too much optimism.
Their stories, full of grit, boldness, and the occasional “oops,” are a treasure trove of leadership lessons.
Why Storytelling Works in Leadership
People love stories. Whether it’s a movie, a novel, or an “wait until I tell you about the latest request from head office…” story from your colleague, narratives stick with us. The power of storytelling in leadership training lies in its ability to make abstract ideas come alive.
But what’s even better? The fact that we can laugh, marvel, and cringe our way through these explorers’ triumphs and missteps while also learning how to be better leaders ourselves.
Lessons from the polar explorers (spoiler: these guys weren’t always right, but they sure were bold)
The fearless (and sometimes stubborn) explorers who ventured into the coldest parts of the Earth have so much to teach us. Let’s take a peek at some of their stories and the leadership nuggets we can walk away with.
1. Ernest Shackleton: Always remember to “Keep Calm and Carry On”
If there’s ever a poster boy for leadership in crisis, it’s Shackleton. When his ship, Endurance, was crushed by ice in the Antarctic in 1915, you’d think it would be game over. But Shackleton was all about the long game. He kept his crew alive and (mostly) in good spirits during a nearly two-year survival saga.
Leadership Takeaways:
- Keep Morale High: Shackleton knew his crew would crack if they weren’t mentally strong. So, he threw dinner parties in the ice, organised games, and probably invented the world’s first Antarctic karaoke night.
- Stay Cool Under Pressure: When your project is tanking, channel your inner Shackleton and remember…it could always be worse—you could be trapped in the Antarctic with only penguins for company.
2. Roald Amundsen: Planning to win (while your competition plans to… freeze)
Roald Amundsen, the first man to reach the South Pole in 1911, is the gold standard of planning. His rival, Robert Falcon Scott, might have been a little more of a “wing it” kind of guy—and, well, we know how that turned out. Amundsen’s secret weapon was preparation. He knew exactly how to tackle the Antarctic like it was a well-planned vacation—complete with dogsleds and warm boots (things Scott probably should have packed).
Leadership Takeaways:
- Plan Like Your Life Depends on It: Amundsen prepared for every possible outcome, down to which socks to wear. In business, having a well-thought-out plan makes the difference between reaching your goals and being left in the cold.
- Adaptability: Amundsen wasn’t afraid to change course when needed. When it became clear that Scott was a bit more, let’s say, “optimistic” about his ponies surviving the snow (spoiler: they didn’t), Amundsen stuck with dogsleds.
3. Robert Falcon Scott: Perseverance, but pack a map next time.
Poor Robert Falcon Scott. He’s the tragic hero of the South Pole story. He had courage, determination, and, well, not the best strategy. His 1911-1912 expedition was marked by tough decisions and some seriously bad luck. Yet, his perseverance, even when everything was going wrong, is something we can all admire—just with a few more contingency plans next time (and consider bringing more food, as less rock samples in your return luggage).
Leadership Takeaways:
- Persevere, Even When Things Go South (Literally): Scott never gave up, even when everything was stacked against him. He pushed forward with the kind of determination we all hope to have when the Wi-Fi goes out during an important Teams call.
- Learn from Mistakes: So, Scott might have benefitted from rethinking his choice of transportation (ponies…really?) But his ability to lead his team despite the mounting challenges shows the power of perseverance. As a leader, you’ll make mistakes—just make sure they’re not the “freeze to death in Antarctica” kind.
4. Fridtjof Nansen: Innovation…but know when to call it quits
Fridtjof Nansen was the OG Arctic explorer who tried something a little out there: letting his ship get stuck in ice so it would drift towards the North Pole. Spoiler: it didn’t work. But rather than stubbornly pushing forward, Nansen made the bold decision to abandon the mission (and his ship) and set out on foot with a buddy. It was risky, but it worked, and he lived to tell the tale.
Leadership Takeaways:
- Innovation is Key: Nansen wasn’t afraid to try new things. Sure, letting your ship get trapped in ice might not be your first choice, but his willingness to experiment shows that sometimes bold, innovative thinking is the way forward.
- Know When to Pivot: Leaders need to recognise when it’s time to change direction. Nansen realised his original plan wasn’t going to work and wasn’t afraid to shift gears. Sometimes the bravest decision a leader can make is knowing when to call it quits on an idea that just isn’t working.
Conclusion: Channel Your Inner Explorer.
Leadership lessons hit harder when they come wrapped in a good story. These explorers didn’t just survive; they thrived in some of the most extreme conditions imaginable. Their stories show us that leadership isn’t about always getting it right—it’s about staying adaptable, keeping your people motivated, and, most importantly, knowing when to throw in the towel (or the ice pick) and find a new way forward.
The next time you find yourself leading through uncertainty or trying to inspire your team during tough times, take a page from the explorers of past. Their stories remind us that leadership is about navigating uncharted territory, making bold decisions, and sometimes just surviving the storm