Setting the pace for consistent leadership

RUNNING is my perfect start to the day. I hit the pavement early in the day, sometimes in an energetic and cheerful mood, feeling fast and powerful, uplifted by the company of my favourite songs; other times groggy, sluggish and stiff, only propelled along by the knowledge that I’ll feel better for having made the effort. Whatever my mindset and physical state at 6am, one thing is certain: I always return feeling revived and ready for a long and challenging day.

I first started running at the age of 16, “hitting the pavements” to relieve the pressure of school exams and improve my general fitness. Today, apart from releasing the tension in my back and boosting my endorphins, morning runs put me in the right headspace. Post-run, I’m pleased to have accomplished something early in the day and I feel ready to move on and tackle the working day with energy and confidence.

My love for running was rekindled during the first few years of my career when I was working long hours in management consultancy. Like others eager to impress when starting out, I found it hard to “switch off”. Running provided 30 minutes of escape, with my mind wholly engaged in the battle with my willpower to keep going. At one point in this hectic period, I decided to join a week-long military fitness boot camp. The adrenaline rush and enhanced well-being underlined the need for a regular routine to maintain my physical and mental health.

These days I run at least four to five times a week, 6 km along the Singapore River from Tiong Bahru to Marina Bay and back. When travelling, I combine runs with hiking, trail running, and HIIT (high intensity interval training) classes. Most mornings, I block out time in my calendar to ensure I can enjoy this personal time without any distractions from my global colleagues!

For me, running is an individual activity: I can do it at my own pace, anywhere in the world, at any time of the day. It is my time and space to recharge and decompress, without the pressure of performing for others. If I feel good physically and emotionally, I feel ready to face my responsibilities for the day, to look after my team, and to practise consistent and decisive leadership.

I believe in a compassionate style of management which concentrates on developing individuals and the team – setting people up for success, rather than simply drilling them for results. Just as I set myself up for success daily on my morning run, I aim to set my team up with clear standards, achievable targets, strong processes, and autonomy to deliver meaningful impact.

SEE ALSO

Endurance and exhilaration

Trekking through unpredictable times

Asean Intelligence

Get insights into businesses across South-east Asia

Get the free report

For anyone keen to start their fitness journey, my advice would be: Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, both literally and metaphorically. Do it at your own pace, find what works for you and, above all, try to enjoy the small escape in your day.

Thomasin Crowley, 31 , is the Global Director of Asia Pacific at WiredScore.