Cocktails with Carl

Leading Through Actions, Not Words

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, “do as I say, not as I do”? It’s pretty frustrating to watch a leader of people blatantly contradict themselves, only to offer up the lamest of excuses when asked about it later on. We’ve all witnessed this type of behavior: the boss that is constantly late to meetings, the coach that is terribly out of shape, or the parent that smokes cigarettes. These people may have the authority to do what they want but deep down they are lacking in respect. Over time, these hypocrites will get tuned out entirely, losing their effectiveness to lead altogether.

I’ve always been a big believer in leading through actions, not words. So when my business partner completed her first marathon at the age of 55 a couple of weeks ago, I thought it was quite an extraordinary feat. And I don’t mean that only from a physical standpoint. Of course it’s extremely difficult to finish a marathon and there should be a ton of personal pride when you check that box on the bucket list. But what is more impressive to me is what completing a marathon demonstrates from a leadership standpoint. Let’s take a deeper dive than just looking at race times or order of finish and examine 5 things that I believe training for and completing a marathon says about a person as a leader:

They’re Goal Oriented

Tackling a marathon demands some strategic thinking. They don’t just coast through their days hoping for the best. There is always something more to achieve. They desire to elevate their knowledge and performance. They set intentional goals, going through a careful process of thinking, writing, and planning.

They’re Disciplined

Training for a marathon requires a dedicated regiment. They stick with their commitments even when there are tempting alternatives. They’ve learned how to say “no” graciously, avoiding distractions and interruptions. They’ve focused on the long term vision and have established a personal operating system that keeps them on track.

They’re Accountable

Who’s fault is it if you don’t perform up to your expectations? Running is an individual sport and the athlete is entirely exposed. Everyone competes on the same course and in the same weather. Therefore, marathoners don’t engage in the blame game. They own their decisions without making excuses for their failures. They are open to constructive criticism and desire to learn how to get better at what it is they are doing.

They Persevere

Finishing a marathon takes an unbelievable amount of endurance. They have an uncanny ability to push through pain/bad news and the patience to stick with a game plan over a long period of time.

They’re a Competitor

With thousands of world class runners competing in a marathon, placing first is probably an unrealistic expectation. It doesn’t matter. Defining what winning looks like for them is imperative. They have an intensity level that is hard to match and that fire in the belly propels them to achieve their goals regardless. They’ve decided that winning is important and losing stings-sometimes enough to keep them coming back for more.

In the end, talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words. If you’re a leader of people, spend more time showing your team what your leadership qualities are and less time talking about them. You’ll earn a deeper respect and increase your team's willingness to follow you. Running a marathon is cool, but it isn’t necessary to go to those lengths. Leading by example, even with the littlest of things can make a big difference.

And lastly, a huge shout out to my business partner Amy, who has all of the above leadership qualities and more. Congratulations on completing your first marathon. It was an inspiration to follow your journey all the way to the finish line. I’m grateful to be working together with you!

Cocktail Recipe: The Roadrunner

If you can’t finish a marathon (like most of us) then spectate with this themed drink in hand!

2 ozs Reposado Tequila

¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice

2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

½ oz Maple Syrup

½ oz Pasteurized Egg White

Lemon Twist Garnish

Fill a martini glass with ice and place into the freezer to chill. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine all the ingredients and shake until combined. Strain into the chilled martini glass and garnish with the lemon twist.

Enjoy!