In August 1949, 15 smoke jumpers deployed to Mann Gulch, Montana for what seemed like a routine wildfire. The situation quickly deteriorated—the fire spread faster than expected, moved uphill, and surrounded them. 13 firefighters tragically lost their lives.
The two survivors? They used an unconventional tactic that wasn't widely practiced: they started a controlled fire around themselves, allowing the main blaze to jump over them.
The Business Lesson
Sometimes we face situations far more challenging than anticipated—sudden team turnover, industry disruption, market shifts. The firefighters who clung to conventional methods didn't survive. The ones who embraced an unconventional approach did.
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What Worked...Until It Didn't
Repeating successful actions works—until it stops working. Examples:
- Marketing channels that no longer deliver.
- Sales processes from 10 years ago that don't match how buyers purchase today.
- Team members who were once A-players but have slipped.
- Old ways of doing business that are now ineffective.
Your 2026 Reflection Questions
Continue: What worked in 2025 that you want to keep doing?
Stop: What old methods do you need to release? What worked in the past but no longer serves you?
Key Takeaway
Don't fight inevitable changes—lean into the opportunities they create. Be willing to adapt, rethink assumptions, and embrace new approaches. You'll emerge stronger than before.
The Reminder
This isn't about changing for change's sake. It's about having the wisdom to recognize what no longer works and the courage to try something new.