In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex Lesson Plan

How did Pollard fail his men as a leader when he set course for the coast of South America?

Psychologists say that an authoritarian approach to leadership is more effective in the early stages of a disaster than the more democratic style that Pollard took when he gave into his mates’ suggestion that they set course for South America. The more social leadership style that Pollard used was a good quality for a mate to have, but effective captains needed more backbone than he exhibited. By lacking resolve in his decision, Pollard ended up dooming his men to an awful voyage, rather than setting course for a much closer island that he felt would be a better choice.

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