Leadership Lessons from Cross Country Running: Digging Deep, Staying Determined, and Finishing Strong

In high school, I ran cross country, a sport that taught me lessons I didn’t fully appreciate until much later in life. Cross country isn’t about immediate glory or flashy speed—it’s about strategy, resilience, and the ability to push through discomfort to reach your goal. It’s a race that mirrors the long journey of leadership and personal growth, requiring vision, determination, and the grit to finish strong.

The Kevin Costner movie McFarland, USA captures the essence of what cross country running truly is. It’s not a sprint; it’s a calculated race where the real challenge lies in pacing yourself, staying close to the leaders, and saving the final burst of energy for the end. As a young runner, I learned this firsthand. I didn’t always finish at the top, but I consistently gave my all, landing a spot at the Kansas Cross Country championship. That achievement—finishing stronger than half of the field—wasn’t just about talent; it was about perseverance.

What makes this story even more significant for me is what preceded it. Just months before the season, I was recovering from a debilitating illness that left me hospitalized for three months. I was physically weakened, my body a shadow of what it once was. Yet, during that time of struggle, I dreamed of running again. That vision carried me through, fueled by the quiet, steady encouragement of a great coach who believed in me when I didn’t yet believe in myself.

Through cross country, I learned to dig deep. Every race presented a moment when my body screamed to stop, and my mind was tempted to agree. But grit—true grit—isn’t loud or glamorous. It’s the quiet resolve to take one more step, then another, until you cross the finish line.

Leadership is no different. In the workplace, as in running, there are moments when the path ahead seems daunting and the temptation to give up is strong. But leaders stay the course. They understand the importance of pacing, of not burning out too soon, and of rallying their strength for the moments that matter most.

I’ve carried these lessons into my professional life. Whether working through a challenging project, leading a team through tough times, or navigating personal setbacks, I remember the discipline I learned on those trails. I remember that achieving a dream doesn’t happen overnight—it requires vision, preparation, and the willingness to endure.

Cross country running taught me the importance of having a plan and sticking to it, even when the going gets tough. It taught me to trust in my preparation and believe in the possibility of finishing strong. Most importantly, it taught me that success is not just about where you place—it’s about who you become in the process.

So, as leaders, let’s embrace the lessons of cross country running. Let’s pace ourselves, dig deep when the race gets hard, and lead with the kind of determination that inspires others to finish strong. Because in the end, leadership, like running, is not just about winning; it’s about the journey and the resilience we build along the way.