As a former runner, the word "running" inherently suggests speed, urgency, and a relentless drive toward the finish line. I can still recall the exhilarating mix of energy and exhaustion that followed crossing the race's final stretch—an immediate high, but one that also demanded rest and recovery. Imagine, for a moment, that you operated your business the same way you ran a race, pushing relentlessly every day. How sustainable would that approach be over the long term? In a recent conversation with a newly appointed CEO, I posed a question that caused him to pause: Are you running, or are you leading your business? The room fell silent as he reflected on the distinction.
In this CEO’s case—and likely for many business leaders—running was how he described being caught in the weeds of day-to-day operations: immersed in the details, solving problems, putting out fires. His calendar was a never-ending sea of back-to-back meetings, each one stacked upon the other. He was constantly moving from one operational challenge to the next, often with little time to breathe.
Yet, much like a runner pushing through the final stretch of a race, there was a certain exhilaration in it all—a sense of accomplishment that came from completing the day, checking off tasks, attending meetings. And this is where the analogy to running breaks down.
The Need for Rest, Reflection, and Recovery
Runners don’t sprint at full capacity every day. They train, but they also rest. They take time to reflect on their performance, experiment with different techniques, and intentionally recover to build strength for the next race. Without rest, the body and mind will eventually burn out.
So, how do executive leaders create the space for themselves to pause and reflect? If you were to open your calendar right now, what would it look like? A series of back-to-back meetings, with no room to breathe or think? How do you feel at the end of each day—exhausted or energized? Consider this: What if you could experience the exhilaration of progress without the downside of burnout? What if you could shift from running to leading in a way that allows you to maintain energy, clarity, and focus over the long term?
Leading vs. Running: The Key Difference
Leading a business requires more than just executing daily tasks and solving problems. It demands that you step back, take a strategic view, and make time for reflection. It’s about thinking longer term, setting meaningful objectives, and creating space for innovation and growth. The key difference between running a business and leading it lies in the ability to experiment, reflect, and commit to change. Leaders must actively carve out time for:
Reflection: Taking a step back to evaluate progress, identify challenges, and celebrate
successes. This involves a conscious effort to slow down and gain perspective.
Experimentation: Trying new approaches, testing hypotheses, and learning from both
successes and failures. This mindset of continual learning fuels innovation and growth.
Commitment: Dedication to long-term vision and strategy, even when the day-to-day
operations demand attention. Leaders need to commit to creating the culture, resources, and mindset necessary to support their vision over time.
Imagine leading your business with intention—prioritizing the big picture while still addressing the operational realities. Imagine being able to build a business that isn’t just about racing from one task to the next, but about leading with purpose, clarity, and energy.
Creating the Space to Lead
It’s not easy to break free from the constant pace of running a business. But reflection,
experimentation, and commitment are the building blocks of leadership that allow you to lead sustainably over time. As an executive leader, you have the power to create the conditions for success—not just by staying busy, but by being intentional with your time and energy. So, take a moment today to reflect: Are you running your business, or are you leading it? What might change if you committed to leading with more reflection, more space for experimentation, and more focus on your long-term vision?
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