What You Can Learn from Christopher Columbus
By Kevin Eikenberry
In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
If you are like me, you learned that rhyme
sometime in elementary school.
Specifically, Columbus left on his first
voyage on August 3, 1492, sailing in search of a seagoing
route from Europe to Asia with the vision of creating a trade
route for spices, silk and more.
He led a crew of three ships on that voyage
and, as history shows, instead found islands of North America.
While not the first European to make this discovery (the
Norse did it 500 years prior), it was his voyages that lead
to the widespread awareness (and eventual colonization) of "the
New World".
Enough history.
I am writing about Columbus not because
of his discoveries, or even his major mistakes, but because
of what his life can teach every leader.
Here are five specific lessons, as valuable
today as ever, that we all can take from Columbus` legendary
life.
Exercise your belief. Columbus believed
the earth was smaller in circumference than most did. This
belief led him to the logical (based on his beliefs) assertion
that within a few weeks his ships could reach Asia. While
he was wrong, he built his plan based on that belief, gathered
support for his plan in spite of ridicule and disbelief,
and crafted a plan to test those beliefs. This is what leaders
do.
When did you last exercise your beliefs
in a tangible way?
Find great supporters. Columbus didn`t have
the resources, power or money to put his plan into action.
He tried to build support in Portugal and England, before
finally persuading Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain to support
his plan. Even Royalty wasn`t enough - his supporters also
included a group of Italian business interests. Great leaders
know they can`t do it alone, and they are persistent in building
support for their visions and beliefs.
Have you created a team of supporters for
your vision?
Don`t be satisfied. Columbus found land
in his first voyage (what is now the Bahamas), but he didn`t
find the trade route he sought. So he went again, and again
and again. Ultimately he led four voyages; each finding new
territory (and getting as far as Panama). While you could
classify him a failure in achieving his desired goal, you
can`t call him a quitter. When your vision is clear, and
your belief strong, you can lead persistently.
How persistent are you? Do you lead past
the first challenge or failure?
Build a plan. Columbus didn`t just go to
Queen Isabella, turn on the charm, lay out some ideas and
then go hop on the ship. His navigational beliefs, his travel
plans, and his funding support came together over several
years. The funding process alone started seven years before
he sailed. Over that time he honed his plan, made adjustments,
and continued to build as he brought the plan to ultimate
fruition.
Do you plan? Are you willing to adjust and
modify when necessary in service of your beliefs and vision?
Think bigger. In the time of Columbus you
could get spices from Asia on the overland route. Before
he sailed, people had even gotten there by sea by sailing
around the tip of Africa. Columbus, though, thought bigger.
He believed from his study and planning that he could make
it directly, more quickly and more cost effectively by sailing
west. He didn`t tie himself to conventional wisdom or approaches.
He thought bigger. It was this bigger thinking that ultimately
helped him sell his plan.
How big do you think? Are your visions large
enough to captivate, persuade and engage others to follow
you?
The story of Columbus proves that we can
learn from events and actions from more than 500 years ago
and while the context has changed, the lessons are as real
and valuable as ever. The lessons are always there, when
we look for them.
The other major message of this article
isn`t just the lessons, but is found in the questions after
each idea; questions that beg application of the lessons.
Learn the lessons, but answer the questions to really bring
the lessons to life for you and those you lead.
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