🏃‍♂️ How "Easy Runs" Can Boost Your Leadership Potential

Happy Friday Leaders!

This week, I had a thought (as I often do) whilst out for a run with the Nike Run Club app. The coach was guiding me through an "easy run," and it got me thinking about leadership.

The coach explained that easy runs are essential. We can't always be sprinting or doing long runs. In fact, easy runs are where we should spend most of our time—quietly training and acting so that when we need to, we can sprint.

As school leaders, it can often feel like we're expected to be at 100% all the time. Constantly innovating, problem-solving, and pushing forwards. But just like in running, this isn't sustainable.

We need to find our leadership "easy runs."

These are times when we're not stopping or checking out, but we're keeping a comfortable pace and staying active. So that when we need to, we can take that sprint or go the extra mile.

What might an "easy run" look like in your leadership? Here are just a few ideas:

1. Delegating tasks to empower your team

2. Taking time for reflection and strategic planning

3. Getting out the office and relationship-building with students, staff, and families

4. Engaging in professional learning and growth

The key is that during an "easy run" at work, you're not stopping. You're maintaining momentum and keeping yourself ready for when those sprints are necessary.

So my challenge to you this week? Identify your leadership "easy runs." Find those opportunities to maintain a sustainable pace. And when you do, hit reply and share your "easy run" wins with me. I'd love to celebrate them with you!

For me, leadership is not a marathon, nor a sprint. It’s agility and the ability to know when to change pace.

Pace yourself, and enjoy those "easy runs" along the way.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Shane

P.S. Here’s a couple of my recent conversations to take you in to the weekend: