Forth or back

The admiral sets his foot on the deck. It has been a sleepless night and the day welcomes him with a cold gust of wind and an overcast sky. A historical decision has to be made today. Tomorrow it will be too late.

53.5 degrees south, 70.9 degrees west. No European has navigated these waters before. No European will navigate them in the next 60 years. November 21st 1520. We are on the Victoria, the ship commanded by Fernando Magellan in the first expedition to circumnavigate planet Earth.

It has been now over 15 months since they left the shores of Spain. They crossed the Atlantic relatively quickly but it has taken months and exteme hardships on the shores of the newly discovered continent to find the strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Southern Sea. Finally, the frozen and salty waters in this narrow stream of water (later known as Strait of Magellan) have not lied.

The happiest day in the life of Magellan was just two days ago. The small boat he had sent through the South West route of the strait had returned with the great news of the discovery of the strait outlet into the Southern Sea. The stern Magellan even shed a tear as he heard in the distance the cries of victory coming from the boat. His dream of reaching the Spice Islands from the Western route could become true! He immediately directed the Victoria in the other direction to communicate the good news to the other two vessels, the San Antonio and the Concepcion that had been looking for the outlet in the North East route.

They soon found the Concepcion but the San Antonio, the biggest ship of the fleet and the one with most stores, was nowhere to be found. Anxiety turned progressively into anger and depression as everybody realized that the San Antonio had deserted and most probably decided to go back to Spain. Few times had the most glorious and the most miserable day of an individual been that close to each other.

A decision has to be made now. Shall they go forth and adventure to cross the Southern Sea (Pacific Ocean), probably the first time a human being does so? Or shall they go back given they probably do not have enough to eat, drink and survive that travessy with ships of questionnable seaworthiness?

Magellan calls in the captains of the remaining ships and the astrologer of the expedition. He asks them for their opinion on what they should do. He gives them a couple of hours and a requests reply in writing. From the outside and without context it would seem a fair strategy from a leader in such a challenging situation.

The reality is somehow different. Magellan has taken a dictatorial approach to decision making since they left the European continent. Throughout the journey he has unilaterally changed route, decided where to moor the fleet and for how long. At some point, most of his captains, tired and frustrated with the admiral, organized a mutiny that could have changed the course of history, but Magellan wisely took back control (with bloodshed and executions) and since then he has consulted the top officials seldomly.

Now, for the first time he officially asks for their opinion in writing. He is probably not interested in their views. Magellan knows there is no other option than to fulfil his dream and go forth. But he is aware of the version of the mutiny the San Antonio will disseminate back in Spain and how this can impact his reputation.

The astrologer’s response is the only one that has reached our days. It is somehow neutral, probably filled with fear and leaves the final decision to “the wise” Magellan , a decision they may have guessed it was already taken.

And yes, they go forth and they manage to cross the Southern Sea in 100 days (they had estimated it would take around 30) and reach some inhabited islands later named as Philippines. There, after some weeks of joy and rest and in a quite stupid event compared to the stature of one of the greatest navigators in history, Magellan dies in the hands of a rebel king. Elcano - actually one of the original mutineers -  takes control of the fleet and manages to get back to Spain and complete Magellan’s dream.

 

-        As a leader, what is your reaction to the way Magellan conducts his decision making process with his team?

-        Are there instances where this approach is necessary? Do you see reflected on Magellan’s approach somehow?

-        How do you make decisions that impact your team?

 

·        If you want to learn more about this fascinating character and journey I encourage you to read Stefan Zweig’s “Magellan”