Navigating the Extremes: Leadership Insights from Marathon des Sables

Last week I returned to the office after completing the 38th Edition of the Marathon des Sables, often described as the 'toughest footrace on earth'. This gruelling 252 km race through the Moroccan Sahara desert not only pushed my physical and emotional limits but also taught me a huge amount about myself and leadership. Here are seven lessons gleaned from the scorching sands and relentless sun:

1. Vision and Preparation Are Inseparable

The Marathon des Sables requires meticulous preparation, from physical training to strategising food and kit. Similarly, in business, especially in a rapidly evolving tech landscape, foresight and preparation are key. However, there’s only so much physical preparation you can do for a 252 km run through temperatures which reached 50oC. While preparation helps to a point, it’s vision which gets you over the line. As they say, MDS is 70% mental, 20% physical, and 10% kit. ‘Without a vision the people perish’, and that’s especially true in the desert.?

2. Adaptability in the Face of Uncertainty

Each day of the race brought new challenges; whether it was a sandstorm or never-ending soft dunes, blisters, a poor night's sleep or depleted nutrition. I had to adapt swiftly. ‘Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face’ - and the Sahara didn’t hold back with blows. The key to thriving in such environments is to remain flexible and responsive to change: ‘strong plans, loosely held’ became the motto.?

3. Surround yourself with a Resilient Team

Marathons are notoriously independent, and in some ways MDS is the pinnacle of self sufficiency. The race is fully self-supported, meaning you carry all your food, first aid, clothes and sleeping gear for the whole run. However, despite the isolation of the desert, I’ve never relied more on others to reach the finish line. The importance of a strong support team was never clearer than during the toughest legs of the race where our tent, the mighty 91’s celebrated our wins and made sure all eight of us crossed the line. However, it was the support of a friend who really came alongside me for the last two legs who ensured I finished strong. Having people that not only cheer you on, but have been there, done that and can drag you across the finish line is key.?

4. The Power of Incremental Progress

In the desert, every step counted towards the finish line. It wasn't about speed, but consistent forward movement. How do you eat an Elephant? One mouthful at a time. It’s the same for finishing each of the 252 km of Marathon des Sables, it’s also the same for product development, scaling your growth or running a company. As James Clear famously said, "Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement."

5. Managing Resources Wisely

During the race, managing limited supplies was crucial. Every athlete starts with a backpack weighing a minimum of 6.5 kg. Every calorie is precious, every drop of water is your lifeline to the next checkpoint. This focus and discipline is key in helping to manage the finite resources in any early stage business, as well as the increasingly finite resources in many large scale corporates.?

6. The Importance of Mental Stamina

Physical endurance was only part of the challenge; the mental and emotional challenge of MDS was even greater. There’s a lot of talk about resilience in the startup world. Never have I personally faced a greater mental challenge than in the desert where the combination of long hot days, poor nutrition, sleepless nights, sand storms, day-on-day distance and the lack of feedback from the outside world all culminate with the question: ‘why am I doing this?’ Having a clear ‘why’ is key to pushing through, but it’s often not enough. For me, I also relied heavily on prayer, friends on the marathon, and knowing friends and family were cheering us on back home.?

7. Celebrating Small Victories

Finally, celebrating small victories along the way kept my spirits high and motivated me to push through the pain. In business, acknowledging small wins fosters a positive work environment and drives the team towards larger goals.

The Marathon des Sables was more than a race; it was a transformative experience that enriched my understanding of leadership in extreme conditions. While the desert is a very different environment to the office, leading teams through the dynamic, sometimes harsh, landscape of technology and innovation can bring a surprising number of similar circumstances. As they say in the world of ultramarathons, it's about running when you can, walking if you have to, and crawling if you must; but never, ever giving up.