The Value of Staying on Course
In World War II, John was a navigator in the U. S. Army Air Corp. He navigated approximately 30 flights over the vast Pacific Ocean. The flights were often to very small, remote islands so that the plane could refuel and then complete its mission.
In those days, there was no GPS to direct the flights. Navigation was totally dependent on the navigator’s skills with the aviation technology available at that time.
If navigators were off course, even by the slightest margin, they could miss their target and their opportunity to refuel. The results could be deadly. It was highly possible that if their plane missed its destination, it could run out of fuel and plummet into the immense, unforgiving Pacific Ocean.
Planning the route, paying attention to details, and staying on course were absolutely essential to the success of the mission.
Primitive computer and Pacific Ocean map used by WWII navigators
Debrief
As leaders, we are responsible for keeping our teams on course so that we can complete our mission for the company. Like John, it is important for us to know our mission. We need to plan carefully to reach our destination (or goals) and navigate our teams to stay on course.
- What is your team’s mission (or destination)? Answers will vary.
- Describe the course your team is on to reach its mission. Responses will vary.
- What could be the impact of getting off course, even by the slightest margin? Answers will vary.
- What actions will you take to ensure your team stays on course to complete its mission? Possible answers: meet with team regularly to check progress, meet with leaders regularly to give updates, identify potential or actual threats to reaching the goal, determine actions to get back on course.