Lessons on leadership from marathon training

Much has been said on the parallels between running a marathon and leadership. Let’s clear the obvious out of the way: running has multiple benefits on energy management, stress management, mental health so of course it’s good for leaders. But there is much more.

Last week, I finished my second marathon. I saw a significant improvement in my performance compared to the first one 6 months ago. While training, I couldn't help seeing parallels between what you learn in the process – and how to be a better leader. Here are my some of my favourite learnings.

1.      You develop more empathy

During a marathon prep, at times you experience pain, dread, boredom, disappointment. You struggle. Sometimes you succeed, but sometimes you fail and give up on a particularly difficult session. This struggle is a great reminder that not everything is easy to everyone. It’s a precious lesson for leaders.

2.      You strengthen your growth mindset

In running, talent without work is not sufficient. Of course, not everyone can run a sub 2-hour marathon. But even Eliud Kipchoge didn’t get there just because of his talent. There’s a lot of work, too.

I was not marathon material: I am short, I’ve had multiple health issues, injuries, surgical operations. Nothing major, but it doesn’t help. My first sports physician told me I might be one of these people who can’t run a marathon (he never saw me again). But I worked, and here I am, with a second marathon done and the next one lined up.

3.      You become really comfortable with the uncomfortable

Running is not just pleasure, even for those who love running. Running is pain, it’s interval training, it’s pushing yourself a little bit harder, it’s getting up at 5:30 while it’s pouring outside because your plan has a gruelling hill session for you. Running is playing with your limits and pushing them, step after step.

In my first prep, “pain is information” became my mantra. It’s exactly like the negative emotions we may feel at work or in life. We can acknowledge and recognise them, but we don’t need to be ruled by them. We learn to push through the uncomfortable.

4.      You see the benefits of diversifying your toolbox

When you want to progress in running (and have more fun) you need to vary your training. You vary your pace, the structure of the sessions, your gear, your terrain. This is all part of the process of becoming a better runner.

This is also true in leadership: different situations demand different leading styles – participative or directive; inspiring and leading the way or rolling up your sleeves and joining the pack.

And somewhat paradoxically, to be a good runner we don’t just need to run – we need to cross-train (my routine includes 2 sessions of strength training and one of yoga each week). It can also help in leadership: I often say that volunteering with HBA Europe is cross training for my mind, because it broadens the range of situations I must lead through.

5.      You normalise failure, and you celebrate small victories

In running, there are sessions too difficult to complete. There are injuries. There may even be falls. I've learned that it is all part of the process. Our body and our mind adapt to situations they can’t handle at first.

But there are also small and frequent successes. Completing a difficult training session is a small victory and a proof that growth is happening. Seeing my progress week on week during my training was a powerful driver to keep going.

6.      You need a team and you need to show up

Running is a team work. Friends, family, coach, healthcare professionals all play a role in supporting you and helping you prepare and finish.

But at the end of the day, the marathon needs to be run. You have to show up on the starting line. You are prepared, and you have the support of your team, yet nothing is owed to you – you have to run, and get to the finish, step by step.You are the woman or the man in the arena.

7.      You learn to reframe and do hard things with joy

It may seem insane to inflict yourself the pain to run 42km - and to pay for that. And it is, until you reframe it. I reframed running into something very positive - a chance, a moment of freedom... and joy. So during both of my marathons, I ran with joy, and that joy pushed me through, helped me ignore the pain, and reach the finish line.

7.5.      You inspire others

And one last thing. Inspiration by others played a big role in my running journey: friends, famous athletes, Strava celebrities… have all contributed. Now it’s my turn. This year, an old friend of mine ran the Paris marathon because I inspired him. This couldn’t make me happier.