No Room for Excuses: Lessons from Hernán Cortés
A Personal Introduction: How I Discovered the World of Cortés and Pre-Columbian America
My fascination with the history of Hernán Cortés and the pre-Columbian civilizations began with an old, beautifully illustrated book titled Davna Amerika (Ancient America). Published collaboratively in Croatia, Slovenia, and Serbia, this book was a gateway to a world far removed from the Europe-centric history I was familiar with. The book’s evocative images of gold artifacts, towering temples, and vivid depictions of ancient rituals transported me to an era of mystery, ambition, and conquest.
I vividly recall flipping through its pages as a child, spellbound by the stories of the Maya, Aztecs, and Inca. One story in particular stood out — the tale of Cortés and his expedition. The sheer audacity of a man who landed on the shores of Mexico and burned his own ships, leaving no path of retreat, captured my imagination. It was both a story of unrelenting ambition and a stark lesson in commitment.
That book, Davna Amerika, was more than a collection of stories and artifacts; it was an early spark that fueled my interest in leadership, strategy, and the human capacity to push beyond boundaries. Cortés’s dramatic decision to destroy his ships symbolized a mindset I would encounter time and again in the realms of business, leadership, and personal growth.
Burning the Ships: Cortés and the Leadership of No Return
It was a warm Cuban night, in the year 1515. This was the kind of night where the air hummed with the sound of celebration. Newly conquered Cuba was alive with feasts, music, and laughter. Hernán Cortés, the ambitious Spanish commander, could have joined the revelry. After all, his efforts had already carved his name into history. But as others toasted to their victories, Cortés stood apart, gazing toward the dark horizon of the Gulf of Mexico.
He wasn’t thinking about Cuba. His thoughts were consumed by a land far beyond the waves, a land of rumors and riches: Mexico. Unlike the revelers, Cortés wasn’t celebrating what had been achieved; he was plotting what could come next.
So he did… few years later he did embark on a journey towards Mexico.
When his fleet reached the shores of Mexico, the enormity of the task ahead became clear. The Aztec Empire was a powerful, sprawling civilization, and his force of a few hundred men seemed laughable in comparison. Doubts rippled through his ranks. Whispers of retreat grew louder.
But Cortés was no stranger to excuses, nor was he willing to entertain them.
That’s when he made a decision that would define his leadership — and history. He ordered his ships to be burned.
The message to his men was unmistakable: there was no going back. Retreat was no longer an option. They would conquer, or they would perish. By removing the possibility of excuses, Cortés ignited a singular focus in his troops. They didn’t have to think about “what if” anymore. The only path was forward.
The Power of Removing Excuses
Cortés’s decision to burn the ships wasn’t just about military strategy — it was about leadership. It eliminated the mental escape route that excuses provide, forcing his men to focus entirely on their goal. This act is a vivid reminder that progress often requires total commitment, and excuses are the enemies of commitment.
As leaders, we may not be burning physical ships, but we often face moments where the temptation to retreat or delay feels strong. It’s in these moments that we must ask ourselves: what ships do we need to burn to ensure success?
Excuses: The Silent Barrier to Leadership
Excuses are the enemy of progress. They creep into our thinking, disguised as logic or practicality, and slowly erode the foundations of leadership and accountability. For leaders, excuses can be particularly dangerous — not only do they hinder personal growth, but they also set the tone for the teams they lead. A culture of excuses is a culture of stagnation.
This article explores the role of excuses in leadership, how to identify and eliminate them, and why rejecting excuses can unlock the potential of both individuals and organizations.
Excuses: A Subtle Threat
Excuses are deceptively comforting. They allow us to justify inaction, avoid accountability, or shift blame to external factors. “I don’t have enough time.” “The market conditions aren’t right.” “The team isn’t ready.”
Sound familiar?
The problem with excuses isn’t just that they stop progress — it’s that they create a habit. Once you justify one failure or delay with an excuse, the next one comes easier. Over time, excuses become an accepted part of organizational culture.
The Cost of Excuses
For leaders, excuses are particularly harmful because:
- They erode trust: When leaders make excuses, teams lose confidence in their ability to lead.
- They stifle growth: Excuses prevent leaders from addressing their own shortcomings and learning from mistakes.
- They create a ripple effect: Teams often mirror their leaders. If a leader normalizes excuses, the team will follow suit.
The Difference Between Excuses and Explanations
It’s important to distinguish between excuses and legitimate explanations. An excuse avoids responsibility, while an explanation identifies a challenge and proposes a solution. For example:
- Excuse: “We missed the deadline because the client changed the requirements.”
- Explanation: “The client changed the requirements, so we need to adjust our process to anticipate similar changes in the future.”
Great leaders take responsibility for outcomes, even when external factors play a role. They use explanations to learn and adapt, not to deflect blame.
Modern Excuses: Recognizing the Patterns
In today’s fast-paced world, excuses often take on new forms. Some common examples include:
- “It’s not in the budget.” While fiscal responsibility is crucial, using budget constraints as a blanket excuse often reflects a lack of creativity in problem-solving.
- “We’ve always done it this way.” Tradition can be valuable, but clinging to outdated practices stifles innovation.
- “We’re too small/big to make that change.” Organizations of all sizes have succeeded by adapting and evolving. Size is rarely the true barrier.
Breaking the Habit of Excuses
Leaders have the power to create a no-excuse culture. Here’s how:
- Lead by Example: Demonstrate accountability in your actions and decisions. Admit mistakes openly and focus on solutions.
- Ask the Right Questions: Instead of asking, “Why didn’t this work?” ask, “What can we do differently next time?”
- Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Encourage teams to take risks and innovate, even if they fail. This reduces the fear of failure that often fuels excuses.
- Focus on What You Can Control: Shift the narrative from external obstacles to internal opportunities. What can you do to influence the outcome?
- Establish Clear Expectations: Set a standard that excuses won’t be tolerated and back it up with action.
The “Just Show Up” Principle
One of the simplest ways to combat excuses is to adopt the “just show up” principle. Whether it’s a challenging meeting, a difficult project, or a workout session, the hardest part is often starting. By committing to show up, you create momentum that propels you forward.
For example, I often tell people I advise on how to stick to some habit, “Even if you don’t feel like it, just show up. Once you’re there, the rest will follow.” This principle applies to all aspects of leadership, from tackling tough conversations to pursuing long-term goals.
Conclusion: Burn the Ships, Leave No Room for Excuses
When Hernán Cortés ordered his men to burn their ships on the shores of Veracruz, it wasn’t just a dramatic gesture — it was a declaration. A declaration that there would be no turning back, no excuses, no retreat. It forced everyone to focus solely on the path ahead, on the goal, on the conquest of an empire.
In life, and in leadership, this kind of resolve is rare but necessary. Excuses are like those ships anchored offshore — they offer an easy escape, a comforting fallback, but they also hold us back from committing fully. When we give ourselves permission to retreat, we dilute our potential to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness.
Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, or simply trying to better yourself, it’s easy to find reasons to wait, hesitate, or take the safer route. But as Cortés’s story teaches us, the greatest achievements often come when we eliminate our safety nets and confront challenges with full commitment.
So the next time you’re tempted to make an excuse — whether it’s too little time, too many responsibilities, or too few resources — remember the story of Cortés and his ships. What ships in your life do you need to burn? What excuses are holding you back from taking the first, or the next, step?
The path forward may not be easy, but progress never is. Burn the ships. Focus on the horizon. And keep moving forward.
