In 1911 two explores set off to be the first team to reach the South Pole and return. Roald Amundsen and his team reached the pole first and returned alive. Robert Falcon Scott and his team did reach the South Pole but perished on the return journey home.
The primary reason attributed to Amundsen’s success, as made popular by Jim Collins, is the “20-mile march”. This means that in good or bad weather Amundsen and his team would travel approximately 20 miles. On great weather days this felt too little. On terrible weather days this felt brutal. The consistency over time is what permitted them to always be prepared for the treacherous elements of the South Pole.
The concept here is about seeking an outcome with upper and lower bounds in the process. Under no circumstances should you not reach your minimum threshold. Likewise, under no circumstances should you surpass your maximum threshold.
There are a few key elements necessary for a 20-mile march.
- A desired outcome
- Key steps that when followed will inevitably accomplish the outcome with upper and lower bounds
- Consistent execution of those steps
I’m still working on my 20-mile march, but I will share my work in progress.
Desired Outcome
- The world needs excellent leadership and I am on a quest to raise the leadership capability of the world.
Key Steps
- Write once a week about truths, habits, practices, and concepts of leadership and invite individuals to try them out in their own lives.
Consistent Execution
- This blog represents the execution of my 20-mile march.
My ambition is large, and writing alone is not enough. I am working on what else needs to be a part of my key steps that will inevitably lead to the improvement of leadership capability across the globe.
You are working on something right now – what are your key steps to accomplish it? On a piece of paper or sticky note write down your upper and lower bounds for your key steps. This is good practice to hone the discipline. You are on your way to becoming a more effective leader.
