In September 2024 I completed my first ever official Norwich 10k Run!
I hit my personal goals:
- Finished in under an hour - just squeaked in at 59:48 mins!
- Ran the whole way without walking or stopping 🏃🏻♀️
- Didn't sustain any injuries 💪
Obviously I didn’t WIN the race (by a long shot!) but these are massive wins for me personally.
I recognise I’m playing an INFINITE game with both my mental and physical health.
I.E I’m playing in order to keep playing, not to win or lose.
It made me reflect on the role of intense developmental moments vs small, consistent steps over time.
Intensity vs Consistency
You can't just go to the dentist once a year and do nothing in-between and expect to still have strong teeth.
You can't participate in a 10km run without having trained day in day out and expect to finish.
You can't just study the night before an exam and expect to ace it.
You can't put on an exhibition without having honed your skills and spent many, many(!) hours painting.
And yet, knowing that you have these peak moments where you put the consistent effort that you've put in to the test is a key component to staying on target and even step-changing your abilities.
It's like leadership. You don't become a leader and say, "That's it, I've made it, I'm done."
Leadership is an infinite game and it's a game I know you're playing...
With every podcast, leadership book, training course, workshop, mentoring & coaching session, you're levelling up.
1% better every day. Compounding your knowledge over time.
But every now and then, you have a peak moment that puts your skills to the test.
Whether it's a board meeting, a conference presentation, press interview, AGM, or delivering difficult news one-on-one - this is what you train for and when your leadership skills are put to the test.
However, the benefits don't end there.
In the same way that I get to enjoy biting into apples with a full set of pearly whites(!), feel bright and alert after a run and get into a relaxing state of flow when painting, I believe that leadership is way more fulfilling when you're developing and growing as a leader.
This is our philosophy at Art After Dark
This is how I coach leaders - the focus is on who they’re becoming by developing their skills step by step.
In turn, they bring this mindset to their teams, creating conditions that empower people to;
🙌 Support each other
💡 Get creative
💪 Do hard things
A truly fulfilling way to live and lead!
Let me know your thoughts on this. Do you approach your leadership development as an infinite game?
As always, have a lovely day and stay curious!
Best wishes,
Louise