Pillar # 9 on the North Point Outdoors Pillars of Culture is Go the Extra Mile. “Be willing to do what ever it takes to accomplish the job…then push a little more. Take the next step to solve the problem. Even if it takes doing something that’s not in your job description. Go the extra mile. It’s noticed.”

This pillar refers to both the work you are doing in the field, and with your team. Getting the job done is one thing, but it needs to be done correctly. Cutting corners is not an option. It only creates more work for you in the long run and doesn’t produce a quality product for your client or your team. Taking it one step past good, is great.

“Taking the next step to solve the problem” is a dying art. When a problem arises, the easiest thing to do is go to a manager or co-worker and ask for your problem to be fixed. But does that help you grow and develop yourself? Taking the time to try to solve the problem and or provide a solution will allow you to go through the critical thinking process and in turn, help you learn and grow personally through each problem you fix. Take this one step further. If you are always asking those above you to solve your problems, how will you ever step up into that role? Why are those above you in the role they are in? Chances are, they took the initiative to solve the problems that were in front of them and have gone the extra mile.

Some how, some way, over the years we have transitioned into a work force that wants to be given something before giving something. But unfortunately, it just doesn’t work that way. If you want to advance in your field you need to go above and beyond and get the reward after, not before. That said “it takes doing something that’s not in your job description” to go the extra mile.

The extra mile is a term frequently used for “trying hard,” while this is certainly a good definition, it means more. It means that you are doing everything in your power to bring success to the team around you. If you can make your team successful, you in turn by default become successful.

In our job descriptions, we have a line item under roles and responsibilities titled “other duties as assigned.” It is the last responsibility on this list, right at the bottom. It is set in place here for a very particular purpose. The reason is that once you have fulfilled all of the responsibilities listed above it, there is the opportunity to “go the extra mile.” And there lies your potential!

by Andrew Pelkey, NHLA President; COO, North Point Outdoors