Few periods of history have produced such a wealth of remarkable stories as the heroic age of expeditions to the Antarctic. Tom Crean, an unassertive Kerryman, was at the core of it. Despite Crean being poorly educated, he rose from obscurity to be at the centre of momentous events that shaped the early history of Antarctic exploration. He took part in three expeditions, and overcame horrific conditions and energy sapping journeys to not only survive himself, but to save the lives of his colleagues.
His extraordinary exploits made him appear as nearly indestructible. He was known as the ‘Irish Giant’, both for his physical stature and strength, and also for his unwavering spirit and leadership in even the most hopeless of circumstances. Positivity, hard work, belief and the ability to inspire his comrades through difficult times were such qualities that set him apart. These qualities were forged by Tom Crean’s tough upbringing in the village of Annascaul. After his expeditions, Crean returned to his beloved Annascaul and opened The South Pole Inn with his wife in 1927. The pub remains in the same location today and is full of memorabilia from Tom’s travels.
Tom Crean went on these expeditions with poor technology in comparison to today’s standards. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat weren’t an issue! Tom’s extraordinary journey illustrates what one can achieve when the mind-set is right.
At On The Ball Team Building we want to erase distractions of everyday life, appreciate what this explorer did and relate it to your team or workforce. What can they achieve if their mind-set is right, both as individuals and as a team? Teams can avail of a talk that will inform them of the heroics of Tom Crean, carrying them through his journey from Annascaul to becoming a renowned and respected Artic explorer.