Leaders make the 20-Mile March, every day.

I may say that this is the greatest factor: the way in which the expedition is equipped, the way in which every difficulty is foreseen, and precautions taken for meeting or avoiding it.  Victory awaits him who has everything in order.  ~Roald Amundsen (led the Antarctic expedition (1910-1912) to discover the South Pole in December 1911)

Amundsen’s strategy to achieve the feat of leading the first successful expedition to discover the South Pole became known as the 20-Mile March and has been restated in numerous blogs over the past year.  What has brought renewed attention to this strategy is Jim Collins’ use of Amundsen’s experience as an analogy in his most recent book, Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos, and Luck—Why Some Thrive Despite Them All. 

As the story goes, in 1910 Amunsden set off with his team of explorers for the South Pole.  Also making the trek at the same time was Robert Scott and his team.  Amunsden’s team not only made it to the South Pole but also returned with each member alive.  The entire team of Scott and company lost their lives on the journey. 

Scott’s team used the strategy of allowing the weather to dictate their travel.  When the weather was favorable they would travel as far as they could; when it was inclement they may not travel at all.  In contrast, Amunsden’s team traveled 20 miles every day, regardless of weather or other circumstances.  On some days this meant they battled against incredible odds to achieve their 20-mile distance.  On other days they could have traveled much farther, but did not, they maintained their consistent discipline of 20 miles, every day.

Collins’ point is that organizations that are relentlessly disciplined, and stick to their plan, are those that don’t let the circumstances around them affect their ability to achieve their goals.  But, they are not only disciplined when times are tough; they are also disciplined when circumstances could allow them to far surpass their goal.  And that’s what allows them to develop the stamina to thrive, regardless of the circumstances, whether it be chaos, uncertainty or organizational bliss, they stick to their plan.

Let’s take this to a personal level.  I have a friend who decided that for her family, their 20-Mile March was going to be increasing the percent of their income that went to charitable giving by 1% every year.  This was not going to be dependent upon whether or not their income went up or down, but simply increasing it 1% every year, regardless.  In some years their income may suddenly jump due to an unexpected pay raise or bonus and they could afford more than a 1% increase.  In similar fashion, they could also take an unexpected hit due to layoffs or unforeseen expenses.  But they would stay disciplined and stick to their plan, 1% every year. 

Roald Amundsen also said “Adventure is just bad planning.”  Whatever your 20-Mile March—income, profits, outcomes, maybe even exercise or weight loss, etc.—do you have the discipline to stick with your plan?  In both good times and bad times?  Will you be a leader who is great by choice?