The story of the sinking of the Explorer has lessons for organizations.

Ironically, the ship’s course took it on the same route as that of adventurer Earnest Shakelton. It was ice that doomed the Explorer, not unlike the woes of Shakelton and his men. Ice not only slices a boat up, but then grips it with such force that it can move.

OK, so you know the question that’s coming….

What’s the ice (metaphorically speaking) that will slice and grip your organization? And, how do you steer clear from it?

The fate of the Explorer reminds us that reflection on the above questions just might allow for better navigation in tricky organizational waters.