Higher Performance Insights | The 20-Mile March Club
Picture yourself at the edge of San Diego, the vast Pacific Ocean at your feet. Ahead of you stretches a formidable 3,000-mile journey to the farthest point of Maine. Your strategy? To march 20 miles every single day, no matter the conditions. Each step you take is a testament to your determination and a mark of your progress.
As you traverse the scorching desert, you resist slowing down. On mild, pleasant days, you fight the urge to push further. Even as you face snow and biting winds in the Colorado Rockies, you maintain your steady 20-mile pace.
Your secret weapon? Unwavering consistency.
Contrast this with another traveler who begins with an impressive 40-mile day, only to be thwarted by extreme heat. They wait for ideal conditions, alternating between intense effort on good days and complete rest on challenging ones. As you reach your destination in Maine, this traveler lags far behind, exhausted and demoralized.
This powerful metaphor, known as the "20-Mile March," was introduced by Jim Collins in his book "Great by Choice." [1] Collins studied companies that outperformed their competitors by at least 10 times over 15 years, dubbing them "10X companies." He found that these extraordinary organizations adhered to the principle of consistent progress long before achieving their remarkable success.
Imagine the potential for growth and success in applying this concept to increase student engagement on your campus. By implementing weekly student success workshops, even when attendance is low or weather conditions are unfavorable, you are creating a dependable resource for students. This consistent effort can lead to a steady and significant increase in participation over time, fostering a culture of engagement and success.
In contrast, another campus opts for sporadic, high-energy events. While these generate short-term excitement, they struggle to foster lasting engagement.
In today's rapidly evolving landscape, some may argue that relentless consistency has lost its value. However, our research into highly successful organizations suggests otherwise.
As campus leaders, instilling the 20-Mile March mentality in your culture is not just important, it's crucial. It's a tool that sharpens focus and keeps your team aligned amidst uncertainty and chaos. While you may not control financial markets, state politics, or global competition, you always command your consistent effort, giving you a sense of control and empowerment.
Team Discussion Question
Explore applying the '20-Mile March' philosophy to your institution's long-term objectives. Consider one of your primary goals and envision a consistent, measurable action you could take daily or weekly to progress toward it. What challenges might you face in maintaining this steady pace? How could this approach of unwavering consistency influence your team's morale, enhance student engagement, and boost your overall institutional performance?
UNLOCK THE 2024 STATE OF CAMPUS CULTURE® REPORT!
Discover executive insights and actionable strategies to enhance campus culture. Download your FREE copy of the comprehensive report featuring the national trends of the State of Campus Culture in K-12 and Higher Ed.
Get your complimentary copy today!
Help Spread the Word
If you found value in this post, we’d love your help spreading the word! Please consider sharing this on your favorite social media platform and tag Higher Performance Group and Dr. Joe Hill. Your support helps us reach and inspire more awesome people like you!
Like What You've Read?
Get practical, research-based ideas to Accelerate
Higher Team Performance delivered straight to your inbox every Tuesday.
More Blog Articles
