A Navy SEAL’s Fear
Special Operations Forces training can be difficult at the best of times and can be infinitely more problematic if you are terrified of the situation at hand. That fear can paralyze you, irrational as it may be, clouding your judgment and impeding sensible action.
In his book, No Hero: The Evolution of a Navy SEAL, author Mark Owen recounts an incident while rock climbing training on a sheer cliff outside of Las Vegas, NV. Deathly afraid of heights, Owen was 150 feet up the precipice when he realized he was out of cams, the contraptions that allow you to fasten your climbing rope to the rock. During the climb to this point, he had placed his initial allotment of cams too close together, and now he had no more to deploy. Overcome with fear, Owen’s mind could not will his body to move forward; such was the intensity of his panic attack. His thoughts reeled with the possibility of a hard, fast, fall as his hands started to lose grip.
Noticing his student was stuck, the civilian climbing instructor, freehand, without a rope, made his way over to Owen. With one hand gripping the rock cliff, the other holding a cigarette, the instructor took a long drag and said, “Hey, man. Just stay in your three-foot world.” He guessed that Owen’s mind was calculating how far the ground was below, how high the top of the rock face was above, and other random thoughts that had nothing to do with anything that could rescue the situation. The instructor also assured Owen that no one else was coming to help him out; he had to make it to the top on his own. “Only focus on your three-foot world.” the instructor said, “Focus on what you can affect.” The instructor then handed Owen some of the SEAL’s cams that he had collected from Owen’s ascent path below.
Owen’s mind now sharply focused singularly on the three-feet around him where he could find his next hand or foothold. Nothing else mattered beyond this three-foot world; everything else was unimportant. Owen’s focus was so intense that he could remember every crack in the rock face as he moved up, his mind never wavering beyond what he could control. So fierce was his focus, Owen was astonished when his hand finally felt the high edge of the cliff, and he could raise himself to the top.
Insight and Application: In chaotic and stressful situations, leaders should concentrate on the factors within their control rather than worrying about random elements, facts, notions, and what appear to be difficulties or impossible odds. Most of these are inconsequential to the only decisions to make next: What can I impact? What will move me forward? Mentorship is also vital. The climbing instructor provided guidance and support to Owen when he was stuck, giving him a perspective that may not have been obvious to Owen himself. When we know our goal, we can make our ascent to the target through decisions and actions that fall within our “three feet” of control.
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This is a story in the new book I’m writing, Leadership Parables, which will feature leadership lessons in highly memorable short story form. But I need your help. If you remember an anecdote that influenced the way you think about business and leadership, tell me about it. If your suggestion is selected, you will receive a copy of the book and credit as a contributor. If you would like to know when the book is released, please add your name here. And, if you have an idea to share, please contact me at kurian@strategypeak.com.
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