Sinking Ship

12 Oct Sinking Ship

In 1914, during an attempt to discover the South Pole, Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance became stuck in pack ice. The ship was crushed and ice floes were thought to be the cause. But Jukka Tuhkuri, a Finnish Naval Architect and Ice Researcher, recently found that it was a lack of structural beams in the engine room of the Endurance which caused the rudder, stern post and keel to tear apart and flood the ship.

Before setting sail, Shackleton knew about the ship’s deficiencies, yet proceeded with the expedition. Why? Shackleton had exhausted himself doing speaking tours to raise money. Competition was hot for the South Pole. And he was driven by a desire to escape a dreary home life.

Many speakers, fired up by Shackleton’s same demons, deliver a team pitch, present to the board, or do a fundraising speech without considering their weaknesses and shoring them up. Leaks can occur, or worse, sinking.

Never wing your presentation, telling yourself it will be ok, you know the topic well enough, or you have to be first to address a subject. Adequate preparation is critical. With only the addition of structural beams, Shackleton’s story might have been one of discovery, not just survival. And always steer clear of pack ice.