Leadership lessons from completing a marathon
Posted on May 10, 2023 by David Watters, One of Thousands of Entrepreneurship Coaches on Noomii.
Learn how communicating your vision, planning, celebrating milestones and seeking expert help can lead to success.
I am very proud to say that I have completed a marathon. It was something that I never imagined I would be able to complete mainly because I didn’t believe that my body (mainly my knees) would be able to last that long…42.195kms later and everything held together.
Reflecting on this accomplishment made me realise that there is so much that can be learned from the process of completing a marathon (including the training) and being a successful leader. Below are some of my observations:
The impact of communicating your vision
When I decided that I wanted to train for and complete a marathon I started to tell people about it. Publicly communicating a commitment to complete the marathon (my vision) strengthened my resolve. Friends and colleagues regularly asked how I was progressing and their interest kept me in check.
The importance of high quality planning
The training plan for the marathon was key and started well over 6 months before the actual race. We mapped out what we wanted to achieve each week and committed to doing it. Without a strong plan that you can measure your progress against you’ll never reach your target.
The effectiveness of celebrating little wins and milestones
I’ve completed a couple of half marathons before so it wasn’t until my training plan took me over the 22km mark that I felt I’d achieved something. I was amazed at how motivating it was celebrating the milestones in distances that I achieved after this point and wished I had done more to celebrate the mini milestones and wins before. The ability to persevere and achieve great things requires a high level of motivation and engagement, being deliberate in your strategies to improve or maintain these is key to achieving your goal.
Seeking expert help when needed
About half way through my training plan I was having real trouble with my knees and finally went to go and see a physiotherapist. Without his expertise and guidance I definitely wouldn’t have been able to complete the marathon. There is no shame is getting expert advice on the most effective way to achieve your goal.
Being flexible in your approach and plan
The physiotherapist gave me some sound advice on how to change my training plan to help build the strength around my knees. It ultimately meant more work/training, which meant a bigger time commitment; I had to juggle some things around. Being flexible to change your approach or plan based on how circumstances change will enable you to get through unexpected challenges in achieving your goal.
The role of a strong supporting cast
From my partners un-floundering support and company whilst training, running and training advice from friends and colleagues to those that were able to support me on the day. The support that I received throughout was invaluable and as a leader you need to be comfortable with and willing to lean on those around you in pursuit of your goal.
A good leader accepts an icy pole from a random supporter at 38kms
Ok so this one is probably just do with my marathon rather than leadership but there is an important lesson you can take from this. Sometimes opportunities come along that you don’t expect or plan for that fall on your plate, even in the heat of the battle – be open to these opportunities as you they may help you over the line.
At times you just have to put in the hard yards
The final 4 or 5kms were a real hard slog, I completely drowned out the crowd, the other runners and the music I was listening to and just focussed on keeping my feet moving in front of me. At times, usually towards the end when you are close to achieving your goal, its just a matter of good old fashioned hard-work. Roll-up your sleeves, lead from the front and make the distance.
I’ve read through a few marathon quotes since I’ve completed it, the one below is my favourite:
A marathoner is a marathoner regardless of time. Virtually everyone who tries the marathon has put in training over months, and it is that exercise and that commitment, physical and mental, that gives meaning to the medal, not just the day’s effort, be it fast or slow. It’s all in conquering the challenge." Mary R. Wittenberg, New York Road Runners Club president.
What are your thoughts? Are there any lessons you’ve learned from personal achievements that you would like to share?
