Lessons Learned on The Road to Kona

Does your career plan include "March Madness"?

Like many of you who are reading this post, my attention has been fixated on the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament this week, otherwise known as "The Big Dance" and "March Madness".

Whether you are a college hoops fan or you just tune in this time of year to watch this ultimate team competition, whether you have a particular school you root for or you fall in love with the Cinderella team, I think we can all agree that is exciting, inspiring and, (if you pay attention), a lesson in leadership and career management for all of us.

While the field of 68 teams start off with an equal opportunity to advance in the tournament and ultimately get to the Final Four, there are qualities and attributes that the successful teams all demonstrate over the 3-week tournament:

• Preparation: while all of these teams had successful seasons, when they are selected to participate in the tournament their coaches and staffs start a massive and detailed planning process to maximize their chances of success. Nothing is left to chance, every detail, move and play is scrutinized, practiced and re-played for perfection, and they adjust their plan when it isn't working
• Commitment: from the initial tip-off to when the buzzer signals the end of each game, you can see how the players are totally committed to their team and to winning. Their energy and enthusiasm, the way they throw their bodies after the loose ball, their "never give up" attitude even when then they are losing. You you can feel their absolute commitment to the game
• Unselfishness: it's all about the team. Star players willingly give up the ball for someone else to score; personal stats and success are not in their game plan. Relying on others and tapping into their unique talents and skills is what makes them successful
• Anything is Possible: while teams are seeded in the tournament, and the odds of beating their opponents sometimes seem overwhelming, they don't think about that. They believe - with absolute certainly - that any team can beat any other team on any given day, and that talent, preparation, and commitment are not enough; you have to believe you can be successful, and back that belief with massive action to make it happen

For today's corporate leaders, it is very challenging to be successful in your roles, while also taking the time to plan for your own career advancement. Take a few minutes to watch a game over the next couple of weeks, and find the career lessons you can learn from March Madness.

 

 

A Lesson in Resilience from the Indy 500

Sunday's running of the Indianapolis 500 had a dramatic and improbable finish: heartbreaking for rookie J.R. Hildebrand, who crashed just yards away from the finish line in a miscalculated move: humbling yet victorious for Brit Dan Wheldon, who steered past Hildebrand to take the checkered flag.

 Wheldon, winner of the 100th anniversary if this historic race, is once again unemployed. He had won the Indy 500 once before, but in the competitive, big money, sponsor-driven world of professional racing that was not enough. He didn't have a fulltime "ride"; the car and team he took to  victory lane was a one-off, part-time commitment. So while he has proven himself once again, he will now have to find a new gig, a committed sponsor, a full-time employer.

What is useful to learn from his experience is that he never gave up hope of racing again, of doing what he loved, of experiencing success one more time. He did what many professionals who need to be  actively managing careers should be doing:

• Understanding what you do well and like to do
• Staying engaged in your field of expertise - even if it is only on a part-time basis
• Building your own "success team"  who will help you over the rough spots and cheer you on
• Unconditionally believing in yourself

Dan Wheldon may not have another full-time ride for awhile - maybe not ever again - but his spirit of perseverance, commitment to his craft and gratitude for his success will keep him resilient wherever his career takes him.

We could all do well to learn from his example.

 

Welcome to "Lessons Learned on the Road to Kona"

Welcome to my blog where I share my "lessons learned" as an Ironman Triathlete with other corporate leaders who want to gain a competitive edge in today's demanding workplace and achieve more than they ever thought they were capable of doing.

Join me in my 9 month journey as I turn 60 and train for my fifth Ironman race! I invite you to check back here often for training updates, inspiration for leaders who want to get to "The Top of Their Game", and places where you can connect with me on my journey.

What's on your personal "highlight reel?"

Today is race day at Ironman Lake Placid.

I felt a bit melancholy following the race on-line when I would much rather be there participating....but knee surgery killed that plan. However five years ago, at the age of 53, I completed my first Ironman at Lake Placid. And while it was painful (as I heard one Ironman veteran say recently - "If it was easy everyone would be doing it") it clearly remains one of the highlights of my life. I've spent much of today reflecting on that day five years ago; how nervous and anxious I was in the days leading up to the race; the ghosts of past failures and constant self-doubts had been gnawing at me for months. "What were you thinking when you signed up for this?"; "You'll never finish, you will disappoint all those people who supported you for 10 long months of training". These thoughts and others played over and over in my mind that long day five years ago.

In many ways, an Ironman race day is like any long-term commitment you take on: you question your ability; you wonder if it will be worth the commitment and sacrifice; you try to visualize yourself reaching your goal. And yet through the process you learn so much about your capabilities and your vulnerabilities; you gain a deep understanding of the meaning of commitment, perseverance and persistence; you learn the power and humility of relying on others and accept the grace and that comes with giving everything you have to a goal.

When I crossed the finish line some 16+ hours after the race started earlier that day at 7:00 AM  I knew I was hooked. That feeling of accomplishment, of pushing yourself beyond what you thought possible, of realizing a major goal. As one of my coaches said shortly after - "Give in to the addiction".

So five years - and many more Ironman races later - I often reflect back to that experience that gave me the energy, confidence and self-knowledge to set and strive for new goals, particularly when I am experiencing disappointment, setbacks and self-doubt. That race is one of the events on my "highlight reel", which helps me manage myself through the ups and downs that come with working toward any worthwhile goal - whether it's my next Ironman race or a major project.

Past performance can be an indicator of future performance!

So what's on your personal highlight reel?