Resolute

The HMS Resolute set sail in 1852 to search (for a second time) for Sir John Franklin’s lost expedition. The Resolute had been part of an earlier expedition to look for Franklin’s group which had returned with evidence of Franklin’s first winter camp. Franklin, with 2 ships and 128 men, set out in 1845 to explore the Northwest Passage. The expedition met with disaster; both ships were lost, and all 129 men died. 

The Resolute didn’t fare much better in her second attempt. It also became trapped in the ice and was abandoned. However, it was later found by an American whaler and sold to the U.S. Congress who had it refitted and delivered to Queen Victoria in 1856 as a display of friendship and respect (in an attempt to avoid a third war between the United States and the United Kingdom). It was retired in 1879 and salvaged for timber, some of which was used to make the Resolute Desk, which was presented to U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880 as a gesture of thanks for the rescue and return of Resolute.

Resolute and resolved originate from the same Latin verb, resolvere, which means to loosen, release, or breakup. It denotes a solution to a problem or a decision. This is also where we get the word resolution, which is heavily in use this time of year. To make a resolution is to make up your mind to do something to break up a problem or release something that needs to change.

Unfortunately, New Year’s resolutions aren’t a good illustration of the meaning of resolute, since only about one or two in ten actually succeed. So how can we, as individuals, as leaders, and as a community be more successful in creating meaningful change in ourselves and our cultures?

One of the things we learn in therapy is to stop “should-ing” ourselves. We often attempt to make changes because we believe they “should” be important to us, but either they aren’t or the way they are being measured isn’t. Either way, we are not truly motivated to make the change, and when the going gets tough (around mid-February according to the data) we fail.

Instead, if we focus on the values we feel are important, we can stay motivated and resolute to continue working through the change. One way to get started is to make a list of value-based words–like achievement, curiosity, or determination–and then define what those words mean to you or your community. The ones that aren’t being fulfilled are great places to start.

Another way to improve our ability to stay resolute is to set smart goals. SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound. This concept was first developed by a management consultant in the 1980s, but it works just as well personally. 

Of those five things, relevant and time bound are probably the most critical. Immediate steps that are aligned with what you are doing now and are shorter-term, rather than set for the entire year, are more likely to succeed. Setting goals that are relatively small changes often leads to the greatest success.

The coming of a New Year is a very manufactured pressure to change, and using it is fine; however, you can choose to change anytime. If you don’t like New Year’s Resolutions or don’t feel comfortable making them, just remember that any other month works too. When you do decide to make a change, remember to start small, be SMART, and act on your values. Being resolute about a course for ourselves and our communities (and not getting trapped in the ice) is true leadership and the Bison Way.