Circa 2012: Leadership Now

‘I love the smell of napalm in the morning!’ ~ Captain Willard, Apocalypse Now

To lead is to influence. When we influence others, we are taking the lead. So, be influential.

With the epic failure of corporate leadership in developed countries, we are responsible for reviewing, rethinking and reconfiguring leadership.

Leadership has succeeded. Leadership has failed. The balance sheet does not look encouraging. Where leadership is expected to be clear, committed and competent, instead we perceive confusion, indifference and incompetency.

Do you question the ludicrousness of corporate leadership where an enticing package awaits those who resign or who are asked to resign? Shame on the promoters and perpetrators of ‘false’ leadership! Resignation is such a cop-out. Real leadership expresses itself with diligence, discernment and decisiveness. Stick to your guns, and not gun the stick!

The values of leaders need to be audited: Not only by others, but also by themselves. Is conscience a static thing? Do moral codes stay the same way? Is character a measure of a leader? Who measures the fibre, values, beliefs, behaviors, pre-judgements, instincts and perceptions of leaders? Certainly not only by the experts or the impertinent.

Questioning leadership is not about being perched on a moral high horse. It is the right and obligation of followers to challenge authority at times. Blind obedience and allegiance may be counterintuitive to support for a leader. Leaders build capability in their people. They support, encourage and engage followers. They do not exploit them for selfish ends.

Leadership Lessons: Be your own leader. Lead with your values. Lead with your head, heart and hands.

Auditing Yourself

On Tuesday evening, I did a 10K tempo run on the East Coast Park (along our artificial beach – essentially, reclaimed land). This evening, I decided to do a half-marathon tempo run prior to my trip tomorrow. I aimed to complete it at a 5:00 min/K pace. I managed to complete the run in 1:43, at an average pace of 4:55 min/K. I was pleasantly surprised, considering that I have barely run over the last few weeks, except for a 21K race and a 5K cross-country time trial within the last three weeks. My last long run was the Gold Cost Marathon on 3 July where I did a 3:32:07 (two minutes off a second BQ timing). My recent, additional riding and swim drills sessions may have engaged my body to handle more intensity for harder runs.

Throughout my long run, I kept reminding myself to be aware of several salient points:

1)    My Rate of Perceived Exertion: How I felt on a scale of 1-10, so I did not flat-line prematurely.

2)    Checked my measurements on my Garmin 310XT watch (heart rate, distance, average pace per kilometre).

3)    Leaning forward instead of upright (Justin Granger reminded me that I was reducing my speed because of the braking effect).

4)    My thirst and hydration level; as well as my blood-sugar level (I lost some steam towards the second-half of my run).

I met medical doctor, Derek Li, who was obviously running hard this evening; he is an elite age-grouper over the Olympic Distance triathlon. I also met 12-time Ironman triathlon finisher, Clifford and his partner, Min (who is getting fitter and consistent in her running sessions). As I run mainly in my triathlon race-gear, I do attract the occasional curious looks.

Leadership Lessons: Be aware of your surroundings. Conduct systems checks occasionally. These personal audits keep you in good stead, so that you do not deviate or lose focus on your purpose. How often do you audit your values and beliefs? How do you stay accountable to yourself and others?