Strategy at Speed: What the Cannonballing across the country and back Taught Me About Leadership and Operational Excellence
Several years ago, I took part in something most would consider extreme: a Cannonball Run. But not just any Cannonball Run, I went both directions. Coast to coast and back. I called it the Bob Burns C2C2C Memorial Trophy Dash, in honor of my late uncle.
For the uninitiated, that’s a non-stop, coast-to-coast-to-coast drive across the U.S. from New York to Los Angeles and back as fast as possible. No prize money. No pit crew. No official recognition. Just a few people, a machine, and a mission.
At first glance, it sounds reckless. But look closer and you’ll see one of the most intense tests of strategic planning, logistics, and endurance you can imagine.
The Misconception: It’s About Speed
The reality? Speed is the outcome but not the method.
Cannonball is a masterclass in systems thinking. You have to:
Build contingency into every decision
Monitor variables in real time (traffic, fuel, weather)
Coordinate remote support teams across time zones
Track performance metrics constantly while at speed
You don’t wing it and survive. You analyze. You iterate. You adapt.
This wasn’t just about breaking rules (though maybe a little). It was about building a roadmap so solid, you could bet your safety on it and then executing under extreme pressure for over 70 hours straight.
The Professional Crossroads
When I considered sharing this publicly, I hesitated. In the Cannonball run movie there was a scene where a gentleman was jumping out of a plane while the companies board was upset. Would it alienate hiring managers? Clients? Would people write it off as a reckless stunt?
So I reached out to someone who’d been there Alex Roy: record-setter, strategist, and someone who’s successfully bridged automotive shenanigans and corporate worlds. He said:
"Chris, this won't appeal to you average company but then neither do you. You go after the rouges. The out of the box thinkers who get stuff done. Here is what you say when this comes up: I am so confident in my ability to compile and analyze data, strategize and form into a functional roadmap that I am both willing to and have risked my life to prove it"
He also said I could steal the quote as long as I always gave him credit when I said it.
The Takeaway: Bold Strategy Isn’t Reckless
The Cannonball wasn’t a departure from my professional identity it was the purest expression of it. The same mindset I’ve used in logistics, consulting, and operations just happened to play out at speed.
That experience shaped how I approach every challenge:
Think several steps ahead
Build systems that hold under stress
Lead with clarity when time is short and the stakes are high
I’ve always aligned myself with people willing to challenge the status quo, people who build, refine, and rethink what’s possible and then actually do it.
This story is for them and for my uncle, whom I hope I made proud.
