The document discusses how leaders today must operate with greater speed and agility to respond quickly to changing conditions, similar to triathletes. Where strategic planning horizons used to extend 10 years, they now cover just 3 years. Additionally, leaders face constant pressure to implement strategies rapidly. As a result, many leaders turn to intense physical training through sports like triathlons for stress relief, fitness, and to develop the stamina needed to keep up with today's demanding pace. The popularity of triathlons illustrates how more leaders are pursuing rigorous physical training to perform at higher levels in their jobs.

1. Lean, Mean and On Your Screen | JustHR Asia Page 1 of 3
Search
HOME ABOUT US ARTICLES WHITE PAPERS ADVISORY PANEL FEATURED HR CONTRIBUTORS REGISTER
Lean, Mean and On Your Screen About This Author
Posted on May 14, 2012 by trump
Robin Speculand
Lean Mean and on Your Screen – Today’s Fitter Leaders Chief Executive, Bridges Business
Consultancy Int
There is a fascinating comparison between the speed at which leaders must operate today and the growth
of triathlons, yes triathlons. Leaders must be more nimble, more responsive to changes and permanently
Robin Speculand, the author of Beyond Strategy
on their toes ready to pounce at the next opportunity.
– The Leader’s Role In Successful
Implementation, John Wiley & Sons and the
Only 20 years ago, in business, when we were planning for the future we were able to look 10 years
international bestseller Bricks to Bridges – Make
ahead. Now very few industries are able to plan for more than the next three years. The accelerated
Your Strategy Come Alive.
changes mean that today a corporate strategy can be obsolete even before it’s fully executed. Just like
when software is developed it can be obsolete by the time it reaches the consumer. The Global Financial
Crises (GFC) forced many companies to revisit their strategy and is an example of how leaders are under FEATURED AD
constant pressure to be alert, aware of the shifting strategic landscape and conscious of how fast their
business models are changing. Fortune Magazine predicts the forecast for most companies as… “Continued
chaos with a Chance of Disaster.” The challenge for leaders is getting comfortable with it and responding
to it.
The good old days of setting the direction and then sitting back and watching the performance are long
gone. On top of the additional pressures is that leaders must now focus on the implementation to
accelerate it and ensure its success. They must be constantly on their toes and fitter than ever.
This additional pressure has pushed many leaders to seek an alternative outlet for stress relief and instead
of an extra beer at the end of the day (or gin and tonic) they have turned to exercise. Gym memberships
are up in many cities but that alone is not an indicator of leaders becoming fitter as there is a difference
between joining a gym and using it. A better barometer of leaders becoming fitter is the global growth of
triathlons/ironman races over the last 20 years.
Login to JustHR
The first ever ironman was in Hawaii, consisting of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bike Username:
and a marathon (26.2 miles 42.195 km) run in 1978. An insane concept that only 15 participants were
crazy enough to attempt and only 12 finished. (The winning time was 11 hours, 46 minutes and 58 Password:
seconds.) The ironman concept was born out of an argument about who were fitter swimmers, runners or
others. Today tens-of-thousands compete to try to be privileged enough to be allowed to compete in one Remember me
of the treasured 1,800 places every year. Login »
The training time involved to be fit enough to compete in a full ironman is too heavy for most leaders, at
Register
roughly 4-6 hours a day. The shorter races are more realistic challenges and are becoming more and more
popular. For example Singapore’s annual half ironman participation grew by 50% this year, its marathon
and triathlon, last year, were both full and had to turn away willing participants. Triathlons have been
appearing in cities all over the world. Training for all three endurance events is excellent cardiovascular Asia Hr News – Google News
exercise and personal challenge. Also training for three different disciplines, provides a more balanced, US House Thumbs Down Bill
Allowing US Naval Vessel Repairs
whole-body muscular development than just training for a single discipline. The acknowledgment in
May 21, 2012
triathlons’ popularity was sealed in 2000 when it was added as an Olympic sport in Sydney.
TMP Worldwide To Present
Webinar On Digital Sourcing:
Leaders every day are turning to sports not only to de-stress but also to be fitter to deal with pressures in
May 21, 2012
the office. Flying 24 hours for a two-day meeting has become modus operandi, as is an 18-hour work day
and midnight conference calls. The rapid speed at which leaders must keep revisiting and implementing Komli Launches 'Play'Video
Advertising Solution In Southeast
the strategy is pushing many leaders on to the road, bike, or into the water or all three.
May 21, 2012
The biggest payoff is that healthier and fitter you become the more energy, creativity and higher Human Resources News Latest RSS Headlines
resistance to illness you have. Over the last 14 years in Singapore and the region leaders have been tested – Big News Network.com
at all levels. Consider the P.E.S.T. (Political, Economic, Social, and Technological) factors that have Standard & Poor's Downgrades
impacted business in SE Asia over that period. WPAHS Bonds
May 22, 2012
Cooperman Named Portland
Treasurer
http://justhrasia.com/lean-mean-and-on-your-screen 22/5/2012

2. Lean, Mean and On Your Screen | JustHR Asia Page 2 of 3
In July 1997 the Thai baht collapsed instigating the Asian financial crises. Two years later the technology May 22, 2012
bubble starts to burst. Then there is the inhuman and horrific attack on the twin towers. A year later
D.R. Horton To Ask Hawaii LUC For
terrorism hits the popular holiday resort of Bali. Then just as we are starting to get back to business as More Time For Hoopili Project
usual in 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS hits the region. Hotels are empty, flights are May 22, 2012
again avoided and many restaurants go under as business vanished as people avoided contact with other
Human Resource News
people. This was followed a year later by Avianinfluenza or bird flu.
Guru Stocks Raising Dividends:
STAG, PCBK, NSP, SWY, NI
On December 26, 2004 the IndianOcean earthquake and resulting tsunami causing devastation wherever it May 21, 2012
hit and 100,000s of people lost their lives. Then just as we are starting to recover in 2007 there is the
Monster Seeks Fresh Mojo By
financial market meltdown and two years after that we are hit by Influenza A (H1N1) flu – also known as
Merging Facebook Networking App
swine flu. This year alone we have has the floods in Queensland, the earthquakes Christchurch and Japan May 21, 2012
unrest across the Middle East.
Software Engineer / 1458
It pays for leaders to stay on top of their game and it pays for them to stay lean and fit more than ever May 21, 2012
before.
UPCOMING HR EVENTS
• Post to Facebook Global Learning Summit Singapore
• Post to Twitter 2012 – Success!
• Add to LinkedIn
22-Feb-12
• Add to Google Bookmarks
This entry was posted in Articles, rspeculand, Talent Management. Bookmark the permalink.
6 Responses to Lean, Mean and On Your Screen
Vanessa Lee Taub says:
May 16, 2012 at 3:54 am
Sounds like a valid comparisons!
It may be useful to hear your ‘fitness’ ‘agility’ strategies in the workplace….
Reply
andrew grant says:
May 16, 2012 at 6:52 am
thiis is such a true article from a person that knows both marathons and the business world
Reply
Laura Gordon says:
May 16, 2012 at 7:15 am
Great article and absolutely spot on. As businesses and leaders need to stay ahead of the
competition, competing in sporting events is exactly the right discipline. It keeps one focused on
goals and objectives and highlights the importance of preparation creating the right mindset for
optimum performance in and out of the workplace. Not only is the rigour and discipline of training
is so much healthier than going out for drinks or heavy meals after work, but training and
competing together is also a great way to build and cement business relationships, find like minded
people and as Robin says is a great conduit to creative thinking.
Reply
Claire Rubman says:
May 16, 2012 at 12:30 pm
This is an excellent article. As a leader in the educational field, I can attest to the value of
exercise and fitness to keep the mind in shape. Exercise also lowers our stress levels and helps us
to stay physically healthy. We should put our endorphins to work for us – great article…
Reply
Gary Berman says:
May 16, 2012 at 11:45 pm
All too true.
This bloke really knows what he’s on about.
As they sayings go:
- “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.
- “Work Hard/Play Hard”.
Reply
Derek Stewart says:
http://justhrasia.com/lean-mean-and-on-your-screen 22/5/2012

3. Lean, Mean and On Your Screen | JustHR Asia Page 3 of 3
May 17, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Good article and it is so true. As a business leader I face the same challenges as many executives or
managers.
I started competing at the age of 46 in triathlons despite not being a swimmer or a cyclist. 2 years
later I became an Ironman and on Saturday will be competing in Lanzarote Ironman.
This journey has made me fitter than ever before but also better equipped to handle the
challenges in business.
I have spoken at conferences explaining the link between Ironman and business and how my 5 step
approach, used in preparing for Ironman, improves personal and business performance. With a 5
step plan you can accomplish things you never thought possible.
Reply
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Name *
Email *
Website
Comment
Type the two words:
Post Comment
HOME ABOUT US ARTICLES WHITE PAPERS ADVISORY PANEL FEATURED HR CONTRIBUTORS REGISTER
http://justhrasia.com/lean-mean-and-on-your-screen 22/5/2012