BTB EXECUTIVE COACHING
What does Burn the Boats really mean?
The phrase “Burn the Boats” is inspired by the story of Hernán Cortés, who ordered his ships to be burned upon arriving in the New World—sending a clear message to his men: there’s no turning back. The mission was forward only.
In transformation, the same principle applies. “Trans” means to change what currently exists; “formation” is about building something new. This requires us—individually and organizationally—to let go of old habits, outdated thinking, and legacy processes in order to grow into what’s next.
To move forward, the boats must be burned.
At BTB Executive Coaching, we help leaders and organizations identify what needs to be left behind to make room for meaningful change. Whether it’s mindsets, methods, or models, we guide executives and teams in uncovering untapped potential and stepping confidently into their next chapter—better equipped, more aligned, and ready for what’s ahead.
BTB Core Principles
Change Begins with People.
For change to take root, people must understand why it matters. They need to grasp the benefits of moving forward, recognize the risks of maintaining the status quo, and commit fully to the journey of transformation.
People Define Process.
Process is shaped by people; technology simply accelerates it. True leadership demands full commitment to the new way of working—"burning the boats" and eliminating fallback to legacy processes. Allowing old and new processes to run in parallel creates confusion and undermines progress. This is not a process failure; it’s a leadership failure.
Technology is a Tool, Not a Decision-Maker.
Technology follows direction—it doesn’t define the path. The more adaptable the technology, the more effectively it can support streamlined, automated processes that benefit both employees and customers.
Digital Transformation Demands Leadership Alignment.
Leaders must be unified in understanding why transformation is critical to the business. They must clearly communicate the tangible benefits to their teams and establish governance structures that ensure ongoing adaptation and improvement post-implementation.
These principles are grounded in my experience supporting hundreds of executives and organizations through successful digital transformation efforts. Let me know if you'd like a version tailored to a specific audience, such as C-level executives, operational teams, or change managers.
-Greg Thompson, ICF Certified Executive and Leadership Coach
Executive Coaching
In 1519, Hernan Cortes arrived in the New World near present-day Veracruz, Mexico. Faced with a weary and ill crew, as well as resistance from the local population, Cortes made a bold decision. To eliminate any possibility of retreat and inspire his team, he set fire to their ships, sending a powerful message: “We are moving forward to accomplish our mission; we are not going back.”
At BTB Coaching, we embody this spirit. We believe that as leaders, it’s essential to “Burn the Boats” of outdated processes and mindsets, paving the way for sustainable change that enhances both employee and customer experiences—ultimately delivering significant benefits to shareholders. Having led transformative efforts ourselves, we understand the challenges and rewards of this journey.
Our coaching empowers individual leaders and leadership teams to identify their unique purpose for transformation, ensuring measurable results that demonstrate success. We recognize that each situation is distinct, and your solutions should be tailored to fit your needs.Let’s connect and explore how we can help you and your business “burn the boats” and navigate toward a brighter future.
