8 leadership lessons from distance running
Run often. Run long. But never outrun your joy of running. ~ Julie Isphording, American Olympic runner
Back in my days at school, cross country running was, figuratively and literally, my Achilles heel. I may have been singularly responsible for significantly bringing down the house average in the annual cross country competitions at school.
But that was then. Today, as I reflect on the factors that have brought a definite sense of calm and purpose in my personal and professional journey, two things would be on top of that list. A wonderful family and long distance running.
Indulge me, as I explore the similarities between long distance running and leadership.
1. A sense of purpose: A marathon — 42.195 kilometres or 26.2 miles — is a test of one’s endurance. An unchanging distance and schedule gives athletes a firm sense of direction and purpose to achieve their goals. Finishing a modern-day marathon is a combination of very well thought out ingredients — goals, training, nutrition, hydration — to name but a few. An unwillingness to follow through on a well-defined plan is a perfect recipe for failure.
Leadership Lesson:Defining a purpose and direction is not easy for any organization. But it has to be done. Good leaders have to provide the right ingredients to ensure that the organization achieves its purpose.
2. Break it down: A good marathon training plan consists of specific sub-goals and training components. This enables the coach and the athlete to measure progress and recalibrate the program without compromising the end goal.
Leadership Lesson: A leader must provide not only the big picture (goal) but also appropriate tools, checkpoints, and feedback mechanisms to measure progress periodically.
3. Fail and learn early: There are occasions when I have run sub-par compared to my goals. Introspection has allowed me to identify the cause(s) and make the necessary course correction.
Leadership Lesson: As leaders, it is imperative to quickly, and objectively, analyze failures and develop a solid plan to make course corrections in a timely manner.
4. Feedback is key: Distance running is an individual sport. But, this traditional African proverb summarises what goes behind the scenes: It takes a village to raise a child. Apply that to distance running and this rings very true. The team that one trains and works with not only provides support and encouragement but also delivers feedback that goes into making a better runner.
Leadership Lesson: While it is important for a leader to be independent and have strong views, it is equally important to have a network of peers who will give unflinching feedback to improve a leader’s own performance.
5. Push the boundaries: When I feel that I am able to complete workouts and runs with ease, it is time for me to raise the bar. Staying in the same performance zone deters runners and negatively impacts a runner’s performance over time.
Leadership Lesson: A leader who is unwilling to challenge status quo is doing a great disservice to not only the organization but also themselves. Only those who have pushed the boundaries will be ready for the next big challenge when it presents itself.
6. Do not burn out: There is a reason why rest and recovery are key elements of any marathoner’s training plans. Marathoners who do not give adequate breaks are prone to break down physically and mentally and end up missing that coveted race that they were training for.
Leadership Lesson: A leader who works ceaselessly without rejuvenating mentally and physically is likely to become less effective and may end up missing the goal.
7. To each their own: This is a common mantra on the running circuit. Simply put, each runner has a unique physical and mental composition, a specific training regime, and a different diet. And, courses are different too. Hence, running your own race that reflects your unique strengths is important.
Leadership Lesson: There are many unknowns in the professional world that cannot be adequately predicted or controlled — be it a competitors’ plans or their strategies. Every leader is unique. As leaders, it is important to identify and play to one’s strengths as opposed to playing the game by someone else’s strengths.
8. Celebrate your success: Every run — be it a run around the neighbourhood park or a marathon — brings with it unadulterated joy and the thrill of completion. It is, therefore, important to celebrate one’s successes — both as an individual and as a team.
Leadership Lesson: Just as a runner (usually) needs no reminder about the joys of running, a leader should not forget the joy that comes out of working with people and delivering results — no matter how small or big the results. Every milestone that an organization crosses deserves a celebration.
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. ~Nelson Mandela
Neither running nor leadership are easy tasks by themselves. However, with the right mix of preparation, smart work, rest, humility, and a sense of fulfillment, one will be able to scale newer and higher peaks. Here’s to your own personal and professional marathon.
