Story Pitch: Leadership Lessons from the Age of Discovery

by Stephen Matthew and myself

The 18th century ships, the Essex and HMS Bounty, met failure on the open sea. Failure that cost many sailors their lives and ship owners their profits. But detailed notes from survivors of the coupled with historical perspective could be a benefit modern day leaders.

Captain George Pollard Jr., of the Essex, and Captain Lieutenant William Bligh, of the Bounty, both reacted to fate in manners that cost them their ship and the lives of their crew. Their actions are fascinating; both were under intense external pressure both from the owners of the ships, the harsh environment, and from day-to-day activities aboard their vessels among their men. The ships of the “Age of Discovery” are a perfect laboratory to research leadership and team dynamics.

The lessons they learned could help guide the small teams of today’s world.  The books, In the Heart of the Sea and Mutiny on the Bounty, provide an intimate look at the two men’s style of leadership in the face of adversity. The ships were run by a group of testosterone filled young people, who worked together on eighteen hour shifts, for years away from loved ones, without any of the daily comforts, and were disciplined by a hierarchical and often tyrannical leadership. Everyone’s livelihood depended on the ships catch. The labor, the living quarters and the food was distributed from the top down. The lessons we can glean from the books can be broadly categorized into three groups: Team Dynamics, Decision Making and Planning.  

These leadership principles shouldn’t be forgotten and should be analyzed. Within these the three groups, the captains dealt with consistency issues, hierarchy, and the detriments of indecision. Their choices decided the lives of their subordinates. The consequences were dire, the leaders lack of information or negligence created situations that brought their teams to cannibalism or mutiny. In today’s diverse workplace the lessons of the ships can guide small teams through volatile territory.