Why the Dark Sometimes is Better Than the Light

A few weeks ago I went on my first long run in a while.  

That day I went six miles and they were torturous on my legs that really wanted me to stop at mile 3.  On that run I thought a lot about what my life has been become since taking a big leap into the entrepreneurship jungle.  

I came upon a turn in my run down a rough part of the path, and it hit me like a rock.

Vision is equal parts light and darkness.  Leadership is about navigating the in the pitch black believing in the vision.

I often get saddled with questions or statements like,  “You’re what?” or “That’s just crazy.” 

Life in this chair has its bright lights and darker moments.  But they are mine.  

My run reminded me of an 8 mile leg of the 2009 Texas Independence Relay.  I ran this as a part of my training to run the London Marathon.  We ran in the dark and 2 days straight, a 40 leg 200 mile course. Yes, I did that and yes it was crazy, oh but I lived to celebrate it.

It was 2:00AM.  In the worst weather and howling coyotes in the Texas night out the open country, scared to death, I just kept running my leg of the race.  The caravan was just behind me with many of them sleeping in the van or back at the nearby school catching a shower.  But not Tom Lober.  Tom, the CEO of a successful commercial vessel venture and a skilled navigator, got out of the van and told me to keep pushing. He told me with each stride I took that we were that much closer to the hand off point.  And that no matter what little noises I heard along the way, I should keep going.  He was right.  I did and I made it.  He saved me that night from the darkness.  

But he told me later on I didn’t need saving.  I already knew the way.

He was right.  Despite how dark it was, I had played the play book over and over in my head, it just took the courage and will to execute.  And I will never forget those miles, that road, or what Tom said that night.  I relive that moment often when I need a reminder that darkness is far better than light.

My father once told me that if you have people who love what you’re doing and people who hate what you’re doing that you’re on the right path.  “Keep going,” he says.

I believe it.  So I say bring on the darkness.  

You see because most people need the light.  They need the path of certainty.  They need the crutch of an immediate answer.  They need to feel in complete control and full of power.  But the real power comes from believing in the vision and going the distance in the pitch black knowing your true north.  Real power doesn’t care what the vultures in the field have to say because they are too afraid to approach the road to go the distance. They prey on others for their own survival. 

Close your eyes.  Breathe.  Run blind.  You got this.  

Thanks Tom.  I miss you.

Katie Mehnert is the CEO of Pink Petro, the first global social channel for women in energy and the men that support them. Katie has held direct leadership roles inside the energy industry as a consultant and in two major operators, Shell and BP. She's a People Engineer who loves to run marathons nice and slow. You can connect with her @ www.katiemehnert.com or join the community @ www.pinkpetro.com/join-us