Four Things All Leaders Need to Hear

This episode is a little bit of a shorter episode, but one that we think is really powerful. Before you listen, think about a life experience, just something that you’ve done recently that you can reflect on. It could be a huge meeting at work. It could be an interaction you’ve had with your kids. It could be planning something for the school board or something with your church, anything really. Reflect on that experience. Think about the lessons you can take away from that experience that can inform your leadership moving forward.

In this episode, Brian Schubring the founder and CEO, reflects on his experience running the Boston marathon. As you’ll hear, he’s done a lot of marathons, and running is a huge part of his life, and in some ways is how he processes life. Brian shares four lessons for leaders; things that he took away from his Boston Marathon experience.

There’s something here for us, regardless of your level of leadership. As you listen to this episode, think about the experience that you conjured up a moment ago and think about what lessons you can take away and apply to your leadership moving forward and will help you become a better, stronger, more efficient leader.

Four Lessons For Leaders from the Boston Marathon

Brian reflects on his experience running the 2022 Boston Marathon and shares four leadership lessons he learned.

1. Rediscover your Capabilities

The first lesson for leaders is to rediscover your capabilities. I’ve done 38 marathons and this marathon was the first one where I showed up to the start line with an injury. I knew that this race would be different than any other marathon that I’ve ever raced. So in rediscovering your capabilities, that was me asking myself, what can I truly do today, physically, intellectually, and emotionally?

As leaders, we oftentimes find ourselves in challenging situations where we too need to first rediscover the capabilities we bring to any unique situation. Think through those three different capabilities intellectually, physically, and emotionally. How capable are you of the challenge that is right in front of you?

2. Accept Discomfort

The second lesson is accepting discomfort. Now with any injury, I knew that I wasn’t going to be racing to the expectations that I originally had. I also knew that I would be running with discomfort for the entire marathon. The trick was to listen to my body, respond to what my body was giving me, and run with the discomfort, but avoid the temptation to lean into the pain. I’ve often run thinking that the more pain, the better; to lean into it.

I think leaders also face this same analogy when we have a new situation that’s challenging us and often uncomfortable. How can we really accept the discomfort that’s presented and have the courage to not go into the pain of the experience? Pain is an indication that we are maybe not prepared or that we’re not ready, or maybe we don’t have the capability.

3. Bring your Best Self

The third lesson for leaders is to bring your best self. My best self at the Boston Marathon was determined by a couple of things. What my body was able to bear in my response to the experience. Even though emotionally there may have been challenges along the way, bringing my best self meant I was working with my body. My body said to slow down and I responded to that. My body said I could enjoy the crowd and I responded to that.

There’s a lot that leaders can learn from this, too. Bringing your best self means asking, how do you show up today? Respect the relationships and the environment that are around you and bring what it is that you’ve learned, the advice that you’ve been given, and how you bring that best part of you to serve the needs of those around you.

4. Celebrate!

The last lesson is to celebrate. Part of what I really enjoyed about this race were the moments of celebration throughout the entire marathon. Whether it was accepting the blue freeze pop while I was on my way up heartbreak hill or the celebration after the race – I went to Dunkin donuts and enjoyed my munchkins! Moments of celebration are always cherished.

Leaders, I think we all know this, but moments of celebration for ourselves, our colleagues, and our team members are the things that are probably the most remembered. Not only is it how we show up, but how we share and celebrate with those that are serving right alongside us day to day.

When the marathon was over, I was proud. I had surprised myself and I had learned several things along the way. I hope these four lessons can provide some type of encouragement and support for the things that you’re going through as a leader.

Connect with us

Reflect and connect with us! Comment below or visit us on social media to join the conversation. We’d love to start a dialogue about what you are learning in real-time from your life experiences. You can also connect with us at connect@leadershipvisionconsulting.com. We’d love to hear from you!