Lessons from the Death Crawl
In work, as in life, we are often confronted with challenges and obstacles that seem insurmountable. The journey of facing adversity tests our resilience, determination, and ability to discover our hidden potential. This morning I was reminded of a 2006 movie called Facing the Giants. This was shot in Albany, Georgia, and the film tells an underdog story about American football from a Christian worldview. Within this there is a powerful and inspiring scene called the " Death Crawl." This is a fascinating scene and gives us a number of lessons we can take into the world of creating a Talent Intelligence function or capability.
Let’s dive into the scene….
In 'Facing the Giants,' the Death Crawl scene unfolds on an American football field, mirroring the trials and tribulations we encounter in our own lives and work day. The protagonist, coach Grant Taylor, is faced with personal and professional setbacks, with seemingly no hope of a turnaround. But as he takes his American football team through a transformative journey, he discovers the potential for greatness lying dormant within himself and his players.
In the scene we see one of the teams leaders not pulling his weight and setting an example to others in training. In an effort to teach him a lesson, the coach has him crawl on the field with another player on his back. The Death Crawl presents a seemingly impossible task: one player, blindfolded, is to carry another player on his back across the entire American football field. This is no small feat with the average American football field measuring 100 yards (91.44 m). The catch is that the player on top must stay on, and both must navigate through the field without the benefit of sight, relying solely on trust and communication. The player, Brock, believes it is impossible he can make it 20, maybe 30yards in this position.
As the scene unfolds, we witness the immense challenges the players face. The heat of the field, the weight on their backs, and the inability to see the path ahead symbolize the adversities we confront in life and work. In the face of such daunting obstacles, it's natural for doubts and fears to emerge.
However, the real magic of the Death Crawl lies in the transformational moment that follows. As Coach Taylor motivates and guides the struggling player, he imparts a profound lesson about overcoming adversity. When the player feels like giving up, Coach Taylor urges him to remember why he started the crawl in the first place, to draw strength from the vision of achieving greatness.
We see the main player start his crawl and push on through 10 yards … 20 yards... 30 yards … 40 yards … In a moment of pure inspiration, the blindfolded player decides to embrace the challenge head-on, shattering the barriers of self-doubt and self-imposed limitations. We see the struggle on his face as he closes over the half way line. His team mates start standing in awe as he continues to drive forward grimacing as he crawls. He goes past halfway through the 40 yards .. 30 yards … we are unsure of how far he is going but on he goes. Eventually he collapses in sheer exhaustion. As he lies there feeling like he failed Coash Taylor utters the line “look up, you're in the end zone”. Because he didn’t have the limitations he’d set upon his vision, because he didn’t restrict himself, not only did he do the 20yards and the 30yards that he thought he could do but he went right out to 90 yards +. He not only completed the Death Crawl but went far beyond what anyone thought possible, stunning the entire team and himself with his newfound capabilities.
When you are in a situation where you find yourself starting up a new Talent Intelligence team or capability, or looking for that inspiration to transform the capability and unleash the greatness within know that you too will have self-doubts and see glass walls and barriers around you. How often do we see a challenge we feel we could solve with TI and think “That isn’t in my remit”? How often do you see an internal customer (for those inhouse) in need of support and you know you can make a difference if only you could get them 1 on 1 and dig into the root cause of the problem only to be blocked by their Talent Acquisition Partner or HR Business Partner who “owns” the relationship and wants to act as a filter? How often do you see the chance for collaboration between yourself and another team and feel like you should stay within your wheelhouse, stay within your silo because you don’t want to tread on any toes? How often do you see a leader that you want to engage with on their new strategy or plans but you feel imposter syndrome creeping around that corner and you withdraw to the safety of your comfort zone and don’t pick up the phone / arrange that coffee? These, amongst others, are all purely self-doubts and glass walls. No one “owns” a relationship with the customer. No leader will ever be disappointed that you are offering new and needed insights that they haven’t been offered before. Your imposter syndrome will always rear its head but know this, a decision is being made with or without your talent intelligence being presented. It is better to have it, even if it is rough, in its infancy as an offering and only directionally correct, than to be making these decisions blind with no context at all.
The Death Crawl scene conveys several essential life lessons in facing adversity and perceived limitations:
Trust and Teamwork: Just as the players must trust each other to succeed, we must build a strong support system to tackle adversity together. Build out those relationships with people analytics, with marketing intelligence, with your Talent Intelligence super users.
Vision and Purpose: Having a clear vision and a strong sense of purpose can fuel our determination to overcome challenges and push ourselves beyond our perceived boundaries. Know what you, and your offering / function, stand for, where are you driving to and why you exist.
Perseverance: Adversity is a test of our perseverance. When the going gets tough, it's essential to remain focused and steadfast, knowing that the journey is not always easy but worth the effort. You will have times you want to slip back into your comfort zone be it sourcing intelligence, or the safety net of product offerings. Know it is in adversity that you will find the strength for tomorrow.
Embracing the Unknown: Often, we fear the unknown and the challenges it may present. However, embracing uncertainty and stepping into the unknown can lead to remarkable growth and self-discovery and in Talent Intelligence the unknown is around every corner. The vast majority of our customers (be it within Talent Acquisition, broader HR or the business) are all in new and uncharted territories. It is vital to dive into that unknown and see what discoveries can be made.
Imaginary Boundaries: We will often put imaginary boundaries and limitation on ourselves. Create a false narrative or remit to limit our growth and impact. Be wary of these false limitations and look to break down the glass barriers in place.
The Death Crawl scene from 'Facing the Giants' stands as a poignant reminder that adversity is an inevitable part of life, and how we face it defines who we become. By embracing challenges with determination, teamwork, and a clear vision, we can uncover hidden reservoirs of strength and potential within ourselves. Let this powerful cinematic moment inspire us to face our own adversities with courage and resilience, transforming stumbling blocks into stepping stones on the path to personal growth and success.
Our journey through life and Talent Intelligence is often hindered by the imaginary boundaries and limitations we place upon ourselves. These self-imposed restrictions prevent us from tapping into our true potential and achieving greater heights. The Death Crawl scene serves as a vivid illustration of breaking free from these perceived limitations. As the blindfolded player pushes through the physical and mental barriers, he defies the boundaries he once believed were insurmountable. This powerful scene serves as a reminder that by removing the shackles of self-doubt and embracing a mindset of unlimited possibilities, we can unlock a world of extraordinary achievements that were once thought to be beyond our reach. It urges us to challenge our preconceived notions and embrace the vast potential that resides within us, enabling us to achieve greatness in the face of adversity. When you feel like giving up remember why you started this journey in the first place, draw strength from your vision and achieve the greatness within you.
“do or do not there is no try” Yoda.