Moving from Success to Transformation: Driving Better Performance
The metaphor of crossing the Rubicon comes from Roman history when Julius Caesar decided to cross the river Rubicon with the words " Alea iacta est," which means "the die is cast." He had made a decision to return with his legions to Rome. That meant war. Once he entered the Roman heartland across the Rubicon, there was no alternative and no way back. In the same way, managers are able to achieve the impossible only when they are able to harness the power of their will, that is, only when they make this personal crossing of the Rubicon. The journey from "I would like to" to "I will" and happens in three phases: forming the intention, crossing the Rubicon, and protecting the intention.
The first phase of intention formation is triggered by the perception of an opportunity. The necessary requirement of intention formation is the confidence to experiment and struggle with ideas, and the courage to dream. Gradually the ideas become more concrete in the thoughts of the managers.
When the second phase starts, which is the process of crossing the Rubicon, managers must deal with the anxiety that choice and responsibility inevitably create.
After crossing the Rubicon, the third phase is crucial. The intention protection is difficult, as there are distractions and it requires careful management of personal emotions.
