I was looking at some images in my photo folder last week and came across this one of the Ironman USA race start at Lake Placid a couple of years ago. Most Ironman races begin with a mass swim start - often referred to as "combat swimming" by participants. It is truly one of the most fascinating spectacles in all of sport, and looking at this made me reflect on the how the triathlon experience once again parallels the challenges of being a leader in today's demanding corporate environment.
Triathlon is really an individual sport - you are competing against yourself, i.e. your previous performance and time, aiming at each race to record a new PR ("Personal Record"). Pushing yourself, persevering and gritting it out to cross the finish line is part of the triathlon culture. And it begins with the swim while you are simultaneously battling for space in the water with 2000+ other athletes and seeking support and encouragement from them to start your Ironman journey.
While racing in triathlons is mainly a solo endeavor, wise and experienced endurance athletes understand that they gain strength, energy and inspiration from their fellow racers, particularly in a long distance race like Ironman where you can be on the race course for up to 17 hours. In any distance race it is natural to have a singular focus on you - on your performance, on how you are doing at critical points in the race, on what's up ahead and how will you adjust your race plan for changing weather, equipment problems or physical issues.
Likewise, corporate leaders in these challenging times are worried about their own personal effectiveness, marketability and job security in a competitive job market; about how they will achieve more with less; and how they will inspire their teams while also trying to anticipate the issues and obstacles that may effect their success and the success of their teams. With so many demands on their time it often seems like a daunting task to step back and seek insight, support and counsel from those around them.
But just because you are the leader doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Reach out to others around you - colleagues, mentors, leaders in your profession, even your competitors. Don't let the fear of failure or your ego get in the way. Role-model the type of behavior you'd like others to exhibit when they feel overwhelmed, frustrated or uninspired in their professional lives. Engage others in your leadership journey. You may not need thousands of people around you to guide you, but a few wise, well-chosen fellow travelers could make the difference between just inching forward each day toward your goals and crossing the finish line with a smile!
