What running taught me about leading

Running has given me a different way to think about lessons I learned leading teams. In both, effort matters. So does knowing when to push, when to adjust, and what you’re actually asking someone to do.

When I started running, I wanted to become someone who kept his word to himself. As a leader, I wanted people to know they could count on my word too. Trust takes time to build, and people notice whether you follow through.

You can’t go hard all the time.

For years, I thought running harder would make me a better runner. Learning to train taught me why an easy day matters. There’s a similar lesson in leading a team. If everything is urgent all the time, it gets hard to tell what deserves people’s best effort.

I want to understand what’s getting in someone’s way before I ask them to do more. Sometimes they need clearer direction. Sometimes they need coaching or a process that makes the job easier. More pressure by itself doesn’t answer those questions.

Be honest and stay in their corner.

Nearly a decade in sales and leadership taught me that caring about people includes telling them when something needs to improve. I can hold someone accountable and still treat them with respect. The conversation should leave them understanding the problem and what they can do about it.

Some of my proudest moments were watching people I’d coached go after bigger opportunities. Their growth mattered even when it took them off my team. That’s the kind of leader I want to keep becoming.

Explore the talk: Trust Before the Title