Running to Leadership: Lessons From Some of the World’s Toughest Marathons - February 15, 2012

PAST EVENT

Completing a marathon is the perfect backdrop for examining the challenges faced by today’s project managers. While all certified marathons are the same distance, the dangers, terrain, altitude, and weather offer unique and varying challenges.

• Running the 3,600 steps of the Great Wall Marathon relates to managing a 3,600-task project schedule.
• Dealing with predators on Kenya’s marathon course was like facing risks on projects.
• Setting realistic project goals is like running in the frigid Antarctica Marathon.

The manager weighs the advantages of a short term sprint with finishing in the long run. You must become a marathoner, who successfully uses his knowledge to mentally and physically push beyond his comfort zone towards new limits. Successful endurance athletes and managers exhibit the same characteristics to thrive. They must incorporate change, manage risk, plan, and motivate people to go up hill at a time when they want to quit.

Presenter

Anthony Reed, MBA, MS, CPA, PMP

Anthony Reed has over 25 years in management and executive positions. He fused his two passions, managing and marathoning, to successfully implement multi-million dollar, international business projects. During this time, he finished over 100 26.2-mile marathons around the world. He’s been featured in business, IT, travel, and sports publications, including PMI Today, Runner’s World, Ebony, Southern Living, and the Journal of Accountancy.

He holds two graduate and two undergraduate degrees. He’s taught project management, IT, and business college courses and seminars. And he’s authored five books and over fifty management articles. His latest book is Running to Leadership: What Finishing 100+ Marathons On All Seven Continents Teaches Us About Success.