Beyond The Finish Line

On October 8, 2007, I finished my first-ever marathon in Chicago. I'd spent a whole year preparing for this moment. I was ready for weather between 67°F (19°C) and 50°F (10°C). It turned out to be close to 90°F (32°C). The race organizers had to call it quits for those who hadn't hit the halfway mark in 3.5 hours due to so many runners getting hurt from the heat. Lucky for me, I was living in Miami at that time, I was kind of used to the heat.

You know, people train for marathons for like six months to a year. But even with all that time, we sometimes forget to plan for unexpected twists. It's like when bosses get so focused on the end goal that they forget about the journey, guiding the team, and preparing themselves and the team for whatever might come.

Sometimes, they don't even tell their team what the goal is; they just keep pushing ahead, assuming that people will understand the expectations. Then, they get upset when team members don't meet their standards, prioritizing hitting the target at any cost.

As it was my first marathon, I found myself in unfamiliar territory. The sound of sirens blaring, people collapsing around me, and fire hydrants spraying water everywhere created a chaotic atmosphere. Yet, strangely enough, I perceived these challenges as just part of the experience. It's remarkable how, when faced with the unknown or fueled by excitement, our minds can deceive us into overlooking obstacles as we navigate through them.

However, it's crucial to realize that this mindset only works in our favor the first time around. With experience, we can't afford to brush aside challenges. Instead, we should leverage our knowledge to prepare ourselves for whatever comes our way.

It's like at work, you know? Newbies come in all hyped up, but then reality sometimes hits, and they start losing their mojo.

I remember talking to one of the managers I was partnering with, and I mentioned about a new hire who was super excited, and I asked how we could keep that energy alive. But all they cared about was results: "I don’t care about that. I just want them to perform."

Finally crossing the marathon finish line was a huge relief, even though it took me way longer than I care to admit (+5). But hey, every marathon since then, I've at least improved that time. It wasn't until I saw the worried looks on my parents' faces that I realized how risky it all was. How did so many people keep pushing on, not realizing they could be risking their lives? Can you believe it? About 250 folks got treated for heat-related problems, and 180 ended up in the hospital. It's like we get so fixated on the end goal that we forget about the journey and what it's costing us. As professionals, we chase after promotions, status, and recognition, forgetting about our own well-being and values. We need to stop, take a breather, and think about where we're heading and what is the cost that we are willing to pay for it.

I once coached a very talented young manager, Mary (fake name), whom both of us believed had limitless potential, and success was only a matter of time. However, Mary still needed to improve in certain leadership areas as a new manager. She became so fixated on obtaining a promotion that she grew increasingly frustrated.

On several occasions, I asked Mary about her goals and why she wanted to achieve them. However, she was unable to articulate anything beyond wanting a specific position and proving herself to her family. I attempted to help her reflect on this approach and consider how she would feel once she achieved her goal. Would she experience true satisfaction, happiness, and fulfillment? Would she be able to enjoy the process, take time for reflection, and become a better version of herself? She did reach the sky, and I hope she is enjoying it and creating a good work environment for those who are working for her.

In conclusion, my marathon journey taught me invaluable lessons about preparation, adaptability, and reflection. Success, whether on the track or in the professional arena, demands a balanced strategy that recognizes the importance of the journey as much as the destination. By taking the time to assess, recalibrate, and appreciate the process, we not only accomplish our goals but also protect our well-being, values, and principles throughout the journey.