From the desk of Caspar
Why Marginal Gains is only half the story
Marginal Gains. It’s such a compelling story. It sounds so sensible. Do 100 things 1% better and get 100% improvement. The Dave Brailsford logic from British cycling team has become a staple for how sporting analogies are applied to business.
Marginal gains though are only half the story. How I see marginal gains being used is in the daily activity - the tiny improvements every day. Nothing wrong with that, but it needs context.
And that context is a big bold goal. When a team sets a huge goal, it expands what we believe is possible. And that belief is such a critical component that if you miss it out by focusing only on the marginal improvement, you’ll always fall short of a teams potential.
Teams needs to have the ability to go from 30,000 feet to 3,000 feet to 300 feet to 3 feet (where marginal gains typically sit) and then back out again. That mental dexterity is critically important as both things need to be paid attention to.
Tip: Set your Big Bold Goal, expand what you believe is possible, create a plan grounded in reality to make it happen and use marginal gains as one of the tools to get there, but remember that it’s only one part of the story.
I’d still be a hostage
"If I’m bitter about this, then I’m effectively still a hostage”.
These are the words of my friend John McCarthy - The British journalist, writer and broadcaster who was held hostage for over 5 tears in Lebanon. Speaking this week for the British Exploring Society this week, he shared his insights and experiences into how he survived over 5 years in captivity.
That simple quote has so much insight in so few words. It reveals to me someone who has reflected deeply and has come to conclusions which have implications for anyone.
Whatever has happened to you, whether it’s lockdown or any other unwelcome event, to carry bitterness or regret can only affect you. It reminds of that saying that to carry hatred or resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.
Tip: We only have so much mental capacity. Each of us has a choice - we can either focus on all the things that you *wish* were different, or focus on what you can do about it. And to then do something. The choice is each of ours.
Down to the Wire
Last week saw Yannick Bestaven crowned the winner of the Vendee Globe - the single handed round the world yacht race. The leading pack were separated by a tiny number of hours after a brutal 80 days at sea.
Out of 33 boats starting, 8 boats finished within 24 hours of each other. To give context, in the previous edition four years ago, the leading 8 boats finished within 20 days of each other!
It's an incredible feat and utterly fascinating watching this online. It's a huge feat just to get to the start line, let alone finish it.
The picture is of the lead boats as they head across the Bay of Biscay towards the finish at Les Sables des Olonnnes.
Although it’s one man/ woman racing, each of these sailors are backed by a team of people each playing their part. It all starts with that Big Bold Goal and and then incredible teamwork to make it happen.
Big Bold Bites
Learning more effectively. It's all too easy to canter through books and not extract lasting learning from them. Or to end up with lots of books on the book shelf with notes scribbled in the margin. Here's some ideas on how to learn and think more effectively…
Thought for the day
“Caspar recently spoke at our virtual annual conference event and was a massive hit!”