5 Lessons from Running to Better Manage Your Team

Have you ever had a bad manager? Or perhaps you’ve been a bad manager? I’m not proud of it, but I can say “yes” to both. The vast majority of companies and organizations assume that just because a person can do something well means they can magically manage other people to do that same thing. This approach, mocked as long ago as 1969 in <a href="https://hbr.org/2014/12/overcoming-the-peter-principle" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">The Peter Principle</a>, fails to recognize that management is a completely different skill set than engineering, human resources, research, or anything other than management. I once worked for someone who was condescending to the point of being cruel, had no interest in teaching, and expected me to read their mind. That experience showed me how I’d never want to be as a manager, but knowing what you don’t want to do isn’t the same as knowing what you should do. In trying to learn more of the latter over the years, I’ve found that drawing on what I know from running has helped me better lead a team. Here are five examples that have served me well: <img alt="A group of legs, all pictured from below the upper thigh, wearing shorts and colorful running shoes, pound the pavement in what looks like an organized running race." src="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:770/0*c8VHDy3e23CNMf8c" style="height:428px; width:700px" /> <a href="https://unsplash.com/es/@amutiomi?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Miguel A Amutio</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Unsplash</a> <h2>Lesson #1: Ensure your team sees the full course.</h2> If you’ve ever run a marathon, you’re familiar with <a href="https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/enter/course-information" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">course maps</a> that outline where the race begins and ends, along with every turn and change in elevation along the way. These maps are key to running a smart race. At a bare minimum, every runner needs to know the length of the race and plan for that distance. For example, I once ran a record-breaking 5K because I was so swept up in the excitement of race day. But the race was a half marathon, so I still had 10 miles to go. Ouch. <a href="https://medium.com/runners-life/5-lessons-from-running-to-better-manage-your-team-3c189c90a429">Learn More</a>