And what fabulous race it was: Fast course, excellent organisation, vibrant atmosphere, strong camaraderie, great spectators and supreme weather.

After the race, while meeting with fellow runners, faculty and students at that the finish line, Ulf reflected over an energy drink and pizza about the link between running and leadership. Indeed, the two domains have some striking parallels. Eight aspects are highlighted here:

 

1. Strengthen the social fabric: While leadership has to go to great lengths to connect and align stakeholders, a shared passion for running can effortlessly transcend organisational segments and age groups making them all part of a common thread.
2. Just start: While preparation is key in business and athletics, the impetus to ‘toe the line’ and ‘put oneself out there’ makes the difference between aspiration and achievement.
3. Go slow to go fast: While the task of leaders and runners may look like speedy sprints, it is good advice to start at a moderate pace, then clock increasingly faster (negative) splits so to finish strong.
4. Pound the pavement, but lightly: Rather than leaping forward with high kinetic forces at play, leaders and runners can benefit from proper technique in terms of step rate (cadence) and posture to minimise push backs and fatigue.
5. Beware what’s coming: While running and leadership may be seen as linear activities, both disciplines need to act in a fleet-footed, agile and self-directed manner to maintain balance, rhythm and power, no matter the terrain and dynamics of the situation.
6. Keep charging ahead: Getting things done in leadership as well as finishing a 5km race at lactate threshold requires absorptive capacity and relentless forward movement.
7. Celebrate the moment: Leadership and running is a privilege that taps into the boundless energy of incredible people – it is an opportunity to be present to and interested in each other in moments of joy, accomplishment and connection.
8. Welcome to the club: Running and leadership may be viewed as physical activities; yet, they entail emotional, social, transformational or spiritual aspects that make individuals’ hearts and souls stronger while shaping the way they think, live and lead.

In short, whether it is racing in the Queen’s 5K or leading an organisation, it is all about bringing people together, galvanising the group towards a compelling goal, building momentum, navigating obstacles, changing behaviours and adopting a new mindset along the road. The Queen’s 5K race ticks all the boxes and provides a great platform to engage in running at its best.