This morning's run was supposed to be an easy 4 mile run just to get the legs to be loose. Nothing major, now it is a matter of waiting, although I will sneak in a run on the day before the race. And sometimes, to quote the song (for the second straight day I am quoting a song) from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Waiting is the hardest part." Waiting the last few days before a big race is almost always like this. Although this taper is not the same as any other taper I have ever done. Waiting is still hard.
What I actually ran this morning was--nothing. I don't think that running with a resting body temperature over 100 is a good idea. So, that makes this taper even more unusual than any other.
That is an important lesson to teach my kids. Waiting is important. Patience is important. Some things can take a while to become a reality.
One thing I had to wait for recently was to see what type of story was written about my combined Boston/Baltimore experience. In the end, the part of the story that got the most attention was about my thinking about the eight year old who died. Apparently that is an attention getter as this is the second time that something like this has gotten someone's attention for a story. Even six months later. I like the fact that my shoes got a mention. But I had to wait more than a week to find out how a 30 minute conversation turned into an interesting story in the Sun.
This is also an important lesson to teach students and others I mentor or lead professionally. Waiting. Patience. Making sure that everything is in place. Then making a decision and taking an action.
Leadership is something that I have thought a lot about since I changed jobs and a lot since I have started the forty days to better.
I have looked at some changes in my leadership in the past six months. I have talked to the people on my organizational chart a lot more. (I was supposed to yesterday afternoon but instead went home to sleep. My voice would not have been in good shape by the end of an afternoon of talking constantly.) When I run meetings, I don't always sit at the head of the table any more. I try to be part of the group, even if I am nominally the head of the group. I also have made it a point to make sure that everyone gets a chance to express an opinion. I have made it a point to follow up more quickly on things. So many changes.
The book, The Answer to How is Yes, pointed out a term called social architecture. It talked about things like choosing where to sit. Choosing how to position the table. Choosing how to show priority or equality.
I know I still have a lot to learn. A lot to learn about leading. A lot to learn about mentoring. A lot to learn about helping others to achieve all they have the potential to achieve.
And the learning will probably continue for as long as I am in leadership positions. This is not a once and done type of thing. This is part of me for the long haul.
What I actually ran this morning was--nothing. I don't think that running with a resting body temperature over 100 is a good idea. So, that makes this taper even more unusual than any other.
That is an important lesson to teach my kids. Waiting is important. Patience is important. Some things can take a while to become a reality.
One thing I had to wait for recently was to see what type of story was written about my combined Boston/Baltimore experience. In the end, the part of the story that got the most attention was about my thinking about the eight year old who died. Apparently that is an attention getter as this is the second time that something like this has gotten someone's attention for a story. Even six months later. I like the fact that my shoes got a mention. But I had to wait more than a week to find out how a 30 minute conversation turned into an interesting story in the Sun.
This is also an important lesson to teach students and others I mentor or lead professionally. Waiting. Patience. Making sure that everything is in place. Then making a decision and taking an action.
Leadership is something that I have thought a lot about since I changed jobs and a lot since I have started the forty days to better.
I have looked at some changes in my leadership in the past six months. I have talked to the people on my organizational chart a lot more. (I was supposed to yesterday afternoon but instead went home to sleep. My voice would not have been in good shape by the end of an afternoon of talking constantly.) When I run meetings, I don't always sit at the head of the table any more. I try to be part of the group, even if I am nominally the head of the group. I also have made it a point to make sure that everyone gets a chance to express an opinion. I have made it a point to follow up more quickly on things. So many changes.
The book, The Answer to How is Yes, pointed out a term called social architecture. It talked about things like choosing where to sit. Choosing how to position the table. Choosing how to show priority or equality.
I know I still have a lot to learn. A lot to learn about leading. A lot to learn about mentoring. A lot to learn about helping others to achieve all they have the potential to achieve.
And the learning will probably continue for as long as I am in leadership positions. This is not a once and done type of thing. This is part of me for the long haul.
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