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Going All In

If you’re facing a big change, a solid Plan B offers comfort in case things go awry.

But what if Plan B holds you back?

In 48 BCE, Julius Caesar eliminated his army’s Plan B before the Battle of Pharsalus. It was the defining moment in the Roman civil war.

Caesar faced off against Pompey, who had twice the men, a seven times the cavalry, and held the higher ground.

Each day, Caesar marched his army from their fortified camp onto the flat ground. Pompey kept his army on the defensive foothills below his camp.

Neither side engaged.

Under political pressure, Pompey finally marched his army onto the flat plain, ceding the higher ground. Caesar ordered his men to destroy their camp fortifications, leaving no safe retreat.

Caesar went all in. No Plan B. Fight or die.

That applied to Caesar, too. He positioned himself with the dangerous right flank of his army, where the battle would be won or lost.

Besides leading with greater commitment, Caesar outwitted Pompey with clever tactics, crushing the opposing army. Pompey fled, only to be assassinated soon after. (Caesar came to his own end four years later in the Roman senate, but that’s another story.)

What’s the insight here?

In any big change, you will encounter challenges along the way. Plan B lets you off the hook because you can retreat to a safe camp.

Eliminating Plan B forces you to meet all challenges head on, finding clever tactics like Caesar did at Pharsalus.

If you are standing on the edge of a transition, whether you chose it or it chose you, let’s talk. I can help you explore options, starting with whether to go all in or keep a Plan B in reserve.

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