Todd Ordal //June 26, 2013//
This guy never made the cover of The Wall Street Journal and had few financial resources, little to no technology and many hurdles. Yet he ignited a huge growth spurt and united a disparate organization into an empire.
He built infrastructure to facilitate more efficient distribution, developed a complex communications system and reorganized independent divisions into a centrally controlled organization with a large central office and well-conceived division offices. He had a vision so strong that he started many projects that would take decades to complete. He led his team to develop manufacturing techniques that have yet to be rivaled even though quite a few years have gone by since he left office.
Who is this guy? Pachacutek. (Just like Prince and Madonna, he was so cool he’s mostly known by only one name). Pachacutek ruled the Inca nation in South America from 1438 to 1471. If you knew that name, you either have a master’s degree in Peruvian history or you’ve spent some time kicking around in Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with a guide.
I’m not an expert on Peruvian or Incan history. But while my wife and friends marveled at the architecture of Machu Picchu and the Inca nation of the 1400s, I drilled our guides about the guy who built all of this.
A few facts just so you know the story. A fractured Inca nation existed in South America with some humble dwellings. A group of approximately 40,000 Incas was led by a succession of kings who rapidly expanded the empire. A couple of boneheaded brothers eventually took the throne from their father and tried to be co-kings. I’ve written before about the folly of co-leaders, but suffice it to say that dog don’t hunt! Finally, along comes Pachacutek, a man with a vision and an ability to execute like perhaps no one before.
Pachacutek had some wicked smarts in the areas of architectural engineering, astronomy, astrology and leadership. Want a few examples?
I could go on, but you get the picture. No real tools, no wireless technology, no air travel, no iPads, no horses, no guns and in fact, no written language. Yet this guy unites the people of a huge geographic area and builds an aligned group of beautiful structures into a highly functioning organization that would be nearly impossible to do today.
If Pachacutek had a biographer following him during his reign, I suspect we’d know that this was a man of great vision, exceptional communication skills, superior strength of character and a sharp sword. What I’m most struck by is that the power of his ideas accomplished so many things. Execution? Yes, of course, with cheap labor. But the long-term vision for a great society (or company) is so hard to find today.
On the other hand, it only took the Spaniards a short while to destroy this organization when they showed up with horses and guns and a fixation on gold. My takeaway? The value of a long-term vision and exceptional execution with the realization that you must stay current with technology and techniques to keep the gold!