The Hard Core Approach

After this morning’s swim-run set at the lagoon, I started a discussion with Matthew based on watching a regular group of undergraduates training at the beach. These students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) swam and ran (brick) for a few grueling sets. The words ‘hard core’ sort of, popped up while we were ready to leave the venue. Single-discipline athletes already view triathletes as hardcore; triathletes think that Ironman triathletes are hard-core; marathoners think ultra-marathoners are hard-core.

What is ‘hard core’? How would you describe the notion of ‘hard core’? Mind you, this does not refer to the twilight world of alternative adult entertainment.

A snapshot, colloquial or casual definition of ‘hard core’ could mean ‘obsessive’, ‘intense’, ‘disciplined’, ‘committed’, ‘excessive’ and ‘overboard’.

Hard core (noun): 1) The permanent, dedicated, and completely faithful nucleus of a group or movement, as of a political party. 2) An unyielding or intransigent element in a social or organizational structure, as that part of a group consisting of longtime adherents or those resistant to change. 3) Those whose condition seems to be without hope of remedy or change.

These definitions read as negative, inflexible and hapless. How then can being ‘hard core’ be useful?

One triathlete wrote: ‘Friends who've WON Ironmans are true multi-sport aficionados - beyond great at all three disciplines. Every second counts over 8+ hours.’ Do you reckon that this writer is hard-core in his mindset and attitude? Triathletes can train upwards of 10 hours per hour, and 15, 20 and 30 hours are not unheard off among elite age-group competitors. If you want to qualify for Kona in the Ironman World Championships, then training at such volumes may seem unimaginable and insane.

Being perceived as hard core can win you a following, when what you do receives attention for its positivity and relevance. If you are steadfast and resilient in achieving success for your cause, then it can be inspiring to others. Role models incite and elicit emotions in others, despite their apparent ludicrousness and absurdity at times. People can interpret one’s sense of discipline as being hard-core, if one goes overboard by being overly rigid. Being compliant is reasonable as long as we do not ruffle feathers, or rub them in the wrong way.

Leadership Lessons: You can have a hard-core approach to doing things well. Surprisingly, in the cloudy world of customer service, excellence may just mean doing things right and doing it well. Excellence means ‘to excel in something’. Few service professionals seem eager to excel, let alone do the basics adequately. In your capacity as leader, be hard-core by exceeding your abilities, challenging yourself constantly, and indulging in integrated innovation. Seek assistance when you need, involve others, get them to participate in a shared cause, and set higher expectations/standards. If you seek personal mastery, then you may have to extend and exceed yourself in ways never before. Stick to the Big Plan, and others.

Credit/citation: Formal definitions from dictionary.com