The Dry Line

In competitive motor sport, when the conditions are wet and difficult, best practice is to follow the "Dry Line" - the part of the track that has been cleared of damp by those in front. It makes sense - the line is clear to see, reduces risk, and increases available speed.

Which is fine providing you are following. but what if you're the leader?

The convention here is to follow the "racing line" - the path around the track that minimises distance and maximises speed. When the track is familiar, the racing line is well understood - it's been taken by many people before. Follow best practice as effectively as you can.

So what do we do when the track is unfamiliar, the weather unpredictable, the competition unknown and the length of the race indeterminate? When the goal is not to win the race, but to get as many people over the line in the time available? When there is no best practice?

Times like now. This is when skill, meets commitment, meets courage and gets expressed as leadership. It i…