There are many stories from history on the theme of famous leaders symbolically burning bridges and boats.
They do this because they know that when they have no way back to the past then they are forced to face the future.
When we have no run-away option we have to overcome the challenges that face us – and we surprise and delight ourselves when we learn what we were always capable of achieving!
Our fear of change coupled with a too-easy escape route leads to giving up when the going gets a bit too tough. We choose to fail.
Then we erode our confidence a bit more and are even less likely to try next time.
It is not our ability to succeed or the possibility of success that is the issue. The issue is that we continually create self-fulfilling-failure-prophesies. Or some of us do.
Fortunately there are a some tenacious, courageous and optimistic innovators who keep getting back on the horse. They are a bit angry – mainly at themselves.
And there is a Chinese proverb that says:
“Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.“
Burning the bridges and the boats can be the bravest and wisest decision that an effective leader can make. It broadcasts a powerful message. It says: “We are all in this together and I believe we can succeed“.
The NHS has just burned its bridges and boats.
The old wooden PCTs and SHAs have gone up in smoke – and the cash is now held by an innovative new design called Clinical Commissioning Groups.
This change was made final on 1st April 2013 (April Fool’s Day sneer the cynics) – and it is now essentially irreversible. We are all in it together.
What is most interesting to observe is how quiet it seems to have gone. We now have to sink or swim with the new system. And what seems to be happening is that people are getting on with it – and surprising themselves with what they can achieve.
Wasting time complaining reduces our chance of survival and the whiners have become a liability.
Which is good because we will see what is possible when our leaders torch our bridges and boats and we are forced to listen to our inner innovative voices! The ones that we have been drowning out with whining, wailing and complaining for years.
And there is another cultural dimension to this symbolic pyre metaphor. It is important to say “goodbye” to the past and to do so with respect. It is important to mourn the loss of what was good and to acknowledge the passing of what was bad. It was not all good and it was not all bad. Both sadness and relief are natural parts of change and improvement. They are part of the emotional transition process. The Nerve Curve.
And I know just how this sort of transition feels because this week I went through a major one. I upgraded my old push-button mobile phone to a phablet. Wow! What a transition! I’m going to call it a “fablet”.
I have to say that I have been looking forward to it with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. I felt a sad to finally say goodbye to my trusted Blackberry and I felt relieved to say goodbye to its Niggles. The deed is done. The phone number and contacts have been transferred. There is no going back. The boat and bridge are burned. And it was done seamlessly, quickly and with minimal pain. The trigger was the sand running out on my old phone contract. Thank you Car Phone Warehouse – you provided a fabulous service!
And the new fablet feels like an old friend already.
So, onwards and forwards … and so many new and exciting opportunities to explore! And two days after getting the fablet I am writing Android apps in Java (that is geek-speak just to be extra-super-nerdy) – I would never have done that with the old phone!