Radiate Your Presence and Confidence

As athletes, we are measured by our energy that we radiate. Fit people are expected to be bristling with energy. They live for activity, and the activities they indulge in builds their reserves of potential energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, for it is transformed from one form into another.

What does the confidence of a leader do for you? How likely are you drawn towards their positive energy? How much of their confidence do you allow to envelop you? Most of these confident people also have presence. They present themselves in uniquely attractive way, so that we notice them when they step into our realms of awareness and sensibilities. When they are with you, how much of them are in the present? World-class leaders and celebrities express their aura when they walk with us, and among us. Consider these leaders: Mahatma Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Elvis Presley, Dr Martin Luther King, President Bill Clinton, Aung San Suu Kyi, and George Clooney.

Confidence and presence are attractive features of a person. As a leader, these become critical characteristics that command attention and make you attractive to others. When you exude these forms of influence, you can begin to create attainment (buy-in) and, subsequently, attachment (loyalty). Leaders introduce others into their personal space, and get invited into the personal space of their people. Those who are disliked never get welcomes into the private space of others, and rarely engage in intimate conversations.

When you step into the company of others, how well are you received? Are you respected as a leader, or feared because of your position of power? How do you know that others have accepted you into their domains and comfort zones?

Leadership Lessons: How do you develop your presence? How do you express your charisma? How often do you light up a room, and delight others with your positive energies?

Are the Hunter Or the Hunted?

Are you a hunter, or the hunted?

I do not mean these terms to be used in the ‘stalking’ sense. Before we were immersed as denizens of the Digital/Technology Age, we were evolving from the hunter-gatherer role. We hunted for wildebeest to attain our dietary needs. These hunting skill-sets became ingrained into our DNA, and hunting became a recreational or recruiting pursuit. Invariably, we become mired in adventures such as ‘house-hunting’, ‘bargain-hunting’ and ‘hunting down a good deal’.

As an avid reader and collector of magic literature, my library catalogues over-500 books, including manuscripts and booklets. I have hunted down rare and out-of-print books – some of these procured through private collections and online bids. One first edition book cost multiplied in value ten times; my most expensive book is valued at least US$2,000 on eBay. I am not in a rush to sell these nuggets, as I value them for the knowledge and the pleasure of owning them. My friend, entrepreneur and magician Francis Ng is probably the owner of the world’s largest collection of cups-and-balls (used in magic). His vast collection includes collectibles, limited-edition pieces and those owned by the greats in magic. He revealed that he has hunted many pieces of these finely crafted goblets on his travels.

Executives search professionals, or headhunters as they are traditional called, seek and convince potential employees to attend job interviews. Certainly, potential candidates who are sought after by searchers have often been researched. Valuable human resources are those who are values for their unique and exquisite sets of people and functional skills. In his pursuit of his dreams and aspirations, my friend Matthew has committed one year of his life seeking further education and higher learning. 

Leadership Lessons: What have you hunted for lately? How do you feel when you are involved in a hunt? As a collective, what were the experiences you earned whilst working on a team project? How do you position yourself to be spotted for your talent, abilities and competencies? How often are you hunted down for your capabilities and expertise?

It’s How You Interpret It

Sam Kelly received a unanimous decision from the four-person panel of judges at the first round of auditions. His rendition was stirring, poignant and genuine.

How we interpret information and content determines our meaning about it. The challenge about communication includes clarity, preciseness of language, tonality of intention, as well as emotional drive, yet we are slave to how we are interpreted. Being misinterpreted can lead to misunderstanding, conflict, doubt, and indifference. What goes on in the minds of others is hard to fathom and determine.

Authors write books to express their ideas and experiences in a different medium. Biographies and autobiographies give celebrities an opportunity to clear the air, banish doubts, and demystify the person. By bypassing the PR agency and spin-doctors, the legend becomes more human and approachable. It can even enhance their allure and attractiveness.

How do others interpret you? How often do others misunderstand you? How often do you others defend you? How expressive are you?

Inspired By Talent

I was watching the auditions on the latest issue of Britain’s Got Talent, and watched Jonathan Antoine & Charlotte Jaconelli. They submitted themselves as a duo, and emerged victorious on their first round. Like a cliché, the audience judged Jonathan like the proverbial book and its cover. Yet, like tenors Susan Boyle and Paul Potts before him, his operatic talent exploded with such vocal ferocity, that the audiences had to do a ‘double-take’ on their prejudices and pre-judgements.

Talent needs to be nurtured, honed and developed through time, or else it remains raw. Raw talent suggests possibilities, however it can attain its true potential with time and dedicated work. That distinguishes the good from the greats. Jim Collins wrote two books ‘From Good to Great’ and ‘From Good to Gone’, that exemplify companies that have endured or become extinct. Excellence and performance play major parts in the orchestration of talent into greatness.

I am looking forward to tracking their progress a team. They have demonstrated their sense of camaraderie, while demonstrating collaboration, loyalty, respect, diligence and reliability.  I sense valuable lessons coming our way from the teenagers with their strong voices, and even stronger characters. Talking about talent, Perth-based, multiple-Ironman finisher, John Cooke wrote a good review about Chrissy Wellington's biography.

Making Sense Out of Lack of Space

This morning I met @evarella at ECP today, training for his 12th Ironman - all the best dude; amazing how you train in our limited spaces!
— Sivasothi N. (@sivasothi) February 19, 2012

I envy those of us who live in countries where space for sports and outdoors activities is abundant. I really do. What could be more enriching and invigorating than picturesque scenery and clean air to live and train in? In space-scarce Singapore where I live, space becomes a limiting factor to training further and faster. The island-country is almost pancake-flat, yet besotted by heavy traffic and ubiquitous road demarcations. Indoor-training is a possibility but it can be boring, and mind-numbing. Unless you are my friend, Deca-Ironman finisher Dr Kua Harn Wei who can face a wall for a few hours riding on his trainer. A swimming-pool is a safe option, most of the time until it gets packed with students and crawl-pace, breast-strokers. Running is pretty much 'parkour' styled, as you traversed from road to field to the concrete jungle. What do you think?

Re-Tweeted, Re-Thought & Retort?

I posted this tweet a few days ago, and my friend Alvin re-tweeted it. What do you think of it? Let me know what you think. I am certain that introverts will have their reserved 'say' about it? Extraverts may be eager to openly express their opinions. In your profession and business, who gets ahead further and faster - introverts or extraverts? How do we enhance clarity in our communication? We will be keen to hear your tweets, I mean, thoughts.

Talk less, do more. Talk more, do great.
— Enrico Varella (@evarella) March 24, 2012

Three Ironmans In 15 Days: A Shared Purpose

My friend, Dex Tai will be racing in three consecutive Ironman triathlons in 15 days as part of his Race For Autism mission. Dex and I last raced the 226K multi-disciplinary race in 2010 in Austria, and will reunite on 15 July in Zurich, Switzerland for my 13^th IM race, and his ‘three-peat’.

Doing an Ironman triathlon is a personal challenge. As much as people believe that we are backed by corporate sponsors, most of the time we travel completely on our own expenses. If you are fortunate to be recognized by sponsors, you may race with some attire or nutritional support. Otherwise, it is a private enterprise driven by willpower, choice, determination and strength of purpose.

In Dex’s case, he is driven by a shared purpose with his wife who has a deep affection for working with autistic children. He has expanded his support for the mutual cause by expanding on his capability to attempt a physical challenge of mind-shifting proportions. Having raced with Dex in IM Austria in 2010, I know that he has the ability to race two Ironmans within one week. He scored a 3:45 marathon on his second consecutive attempt. Our interviewees Wayne Kurtz and Kua Harn Wei have shown that 20 or 10 back-to-back, daily, Ironman distances are possible. It takes a clear plan, intense focus, and dedicated preparation to achieve the impossible. The impossible just takes longer!

Upon notification of Dex’s personal quest to raise S$10,000 for his charity of choice, I applied viral marketing to my community; I sneezed it on two occasions within a week. As an educator, I recognise the massive challenges involved with working with autistic people; they have brilliant brains that just work differently from us.  I hope that he hits his target soon, which is not impossible knowing that Dex depth of character.

Help me, to help Dex, to help his cause. Meanwhile, be more aware, educate others, and spread the word of our human condition. Will you help a stranger? Will you interact with somebody and communicate with them?

Let It Lose, Let It Ride

This week, I gave myself permission and leeway to rest. Rest from triathlon training. Rest from work. Rest from socializing heavily. I decided to take a spontaneous, short vacation to Bangkok when I found out I had a cancelled class. Being optimistic even from lost income, I reframed my thinking and energies towards taking a proper break from two weeks of racing consecutive half-Ironman, over two continents, across two vastly opposing weather systems. I sleep fully and only afforded one hour of gym-work, and attaining full nourishment from my favourite Thai foods.

In tandem with the post-race evaluation, here is a well-written piece by Kevin Siah of Perth. He was both measuring and being measured for this fast race – all in the name of science and friendship.

Committee members of IBM 115, Singapore

Upon my return, I enjoyed dinner with Auckland’s professional magician and magic-inventor, Wayne ‘Chicane’ Rogers (and his wife, Elizabeth). He performed from his repertoire of stage illusions to the delight of my magic club committee (Ring 115 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians) as well as grateful restaurant staff.

A 'live' performance for patrons and restaurant staff.

This morning, having slept in another two hours I rode for two hours. I managed on mega-loop, with mini-loops complete with rolling terrain, and capped with the infamous ‘beast’, Hendon Hill. Surprisingly, my legs held together where it would normally be thrashed. Perhaps, it was residual fitness from 12 weeks of Ironman preparation, and a fortnight of racing two half-Ironman distances. Whatever it is attributed to, Ironman Switzerland 2012 beckons, and my 14-week cycle begins. I predict lots of strength and endurance work on the bike leg, so I will be muscling up my efforts with core-stability and weight-bearing exercises.

The Team from Singapore who completed.

Congratulations to my Coach, FOX for completing yet another Ironman triathlon – this time in the inaugural IM Melbourne. Crowie won in under-8 hours, with a close finish by Cameron Brown. Congratulations to our friends of Triathlon Family – Lap Huan, Conrad, and the Team – for completing the race in splendid times. Enjoy your post-race party and recovery. The fun begins...

The Critical Post-Race Self-Evaluation

Photo-credit: Fireviewer

A race is a test, of sorts. It is an event that allows us to measure our performance both physically and mentally. Most coaches, including mine, strongly advise that we review what we have discovered and learnt after our race. Upon reflection, we can discover useful things that can assist us in our future training and racing plans. These insights and hindsight can certainly benefit us, when we apply them with purpose. Here are questions you can ask yourself:

1)    What went well during the race? Why?

2)    What could have been better during my race? Why not?

3)    How did my nutrition plan go? Did I experience abdominal discomforts? What would I do differently the next time? What would I not change?

4)    How sharp were my transitions? Which ways did I delay myself? How could I slice seconds off the next time?

5)    Which mechanical issues did I face? Where and why? How able was I to solve these problems?

6)    What was my mindset during the race? Which was my lowest point, and how did I deal with it?

7)    What was my sense of awareness during the race? How alert was I? Was I ‘in the zone’ or ‘zoned out’?

8)    How did I show my appreciation and recognition to the volunteers and spectators? Did I recall thanking them?

9)    Which is my area of focus for most improvement? How would I approach it?

10) How would I tweak my preparation for my next A-race? What can I learn from others?

By reviewing your performance, you can earn valuable lessons from your challenging event. Triathlons and endurance races are no walk in the park – until you experience the ‘bonk’ or fatigue. Our investment in the sport is high in terms of physical effort, emotional stress, and social impact. Make each attempt at a race count. Be accountable for your actions, so make the post-race review a strategic part of your long-term strategy to sustain yourself happily (and for as long) through your active lifestyle.

Which Life Skills Will You Need To Stay Employable?

Is education important in life? Yes, however it is not critical. Relevant and useful skills are. Education does not, necessarily, translate into learning, and transfer of knowledge.

There is so much information out there, but how much of it is knowledge. Knowledge is power, so it has been said. How much knowledge do you possess? Of this, how much will be relevant to your value in the future?

Is experience important? Yes, only if it is related to your profession. Is working in a company about experience? Perhaps. Too many aging workers take length of service as experience, and they can be sadly mistaken. Unless they develop their skillfulness, resourcefulness, confidence and clarity of thought, they are merely practising loyalty to a job, or their company (or is this dead?).

We are not getting younger, and the young will push us to the back of the queue. Unless of course, you possess and apply skills that reflect your competencies, experiences, values and resourcefulness. Tweak your character. Respect others. Recognize them. Reassure others when appropriate. Build relationships instead of destroying them.

Which life skills do you possess? Which life skills will guarantee your existence? These will include: Interpersonal skills, written communication, influencing skills, presentation skills, conflict management, creative problem solving, decision-making skills, motivation, managing meetings, and leadership skills.

An openness to learning, staying broadminded, being involved and participative with others – these are useful attitudes to one’s profession and colleagues. What you know, who you know, and who knows you: these are properties worth developing in your human assets and capital. Be a lifelong learner. Actively apply what you have learnt. Be relevant. Be valuable. Be worthwhile. Make it worth your while to stay employed.

Arm yourself with skills, and capability. Forewarned is forearmed.