In 1519 Hernan Cortes sailed to Mexico to defeat the Aztec Empire and as legend has it upon landing he burned his boats so his soldiers could not turn back and had no choice but to fight to win.
Actually, due to a translation error of the events, it appears although he actually did destroy the ships, it was not by burning them but by running them ashore. This story has been used by many a speaker to illustrate removing the option to retreat. Full steam ahead. No looking back.
You can just hear the music building, the testosterone levels increase in the room, and then…panic sets in.
Explorers in 1519 were of a different breed of human being. They expected to face danger, fight for their lives, and handle meager living conditions. Losing the boats only meant they would be forced to settle in the new land and defend what was theirs.
Today’s American worker is not that same breed of individual. Arguably, we’ve never known real hardship. We are not used to defending ourselves from danger. We are conditioned to look for the side door, just in case we need an escape. To corner your employees in an employment fight to the death will cause more to abandon ship than hunker down for the fight.
Although some versions of the story differ, historians say the soldiers knew this was the plan and it was not done as a surprise tactic. Their loyalty to their commander and the cause (and obtaining the riches the new land promised) made them willing to accept this approach.
In today’s business world, it is better to spend time building loyalty and commitment to the cause in your employees for the battles that don’t require the drastic choice of burning the boats. Remember, the soldiers following Cortes were battle-tested and ready for such options. Be sure you are a battle-tested tight-knit group before deciding you are removing all options but one; otherwise, you might be facing the “enemy” all alone.
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