The Pillars of Hercules

"The Pillars of Hercules" is the phrase applied in Antiquity to the promontories that flank the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar – the "end" of the known world.  In complement, the etymology of Spain - "Hispania" – may derive from the poetic use of the term "Hesperia", reflecting the Greek perception of Italy as a "western land" or "land of the setting sun" (Hesperia) and Spain, being still further west, as Hesperia ultima.

Renaissance tradition states that the actual Herculean pillars bore the inscription "non plus ultra" – "nothing further beyond" – serving as a warning to sailors and navigators to venture no further into the unknown.

Charles V – King of Spain in the years following the discovery of the Americas – later re-framed the phrase to "plus ultra" – further beyond – and made it his motto. It was to serve as encouragement to ignore the ancient warning, take risks and go further beyond. It indicates a desire to see the Pillars as an entrance to the rest of the world rather than as a gate to the Mediterranean and point to the Spanish overseas possessions in "the new world". Today, you will find both the pillars and Charles V's re-framed motto in the Spanish coat of arms and flag.

Organizations too, have their own "Herculean Pillars". Markers of the known world as they see it - constraints or limits to their business, their way of thinking or working. Set convictions about how the world "as it is" preventing them from venturing beyond.

This begs the question: What constitutes the Pillars of Hercules in YOUR organization?