It might have exasperated the weary crew, struggling so hard against huge odds, but Shackleton was certain each time that it was a necessary change, and his men trusted his judgment. James explained years later: "Well-settled plans would suddenly be changed with little warning and a new set made. This was apt to be a little bewildering but it generally turned out to be for the good. This adaptability was one of his strong points. With him it was never a wavering between two ideas. It was a conviction that the second one was a better one and acted accordingly."
