A Leadership Lesson

When I served in the Royal Marines, our regular group physical training often involved early-morning ‘Troop runs'. As a young Marine, those sessions taught me one of my earliest leadership lessons.

The nominated leader of the run, fuelled by responsibility, always seemed to find extra energy. He set the pace, pushed forward, and would often disappear into the distance.

But the pack behind him? A very different experience.

When we didn't know the route, the distance, or the terrain ahead, energy dropped and frustration crept in.

But was that the point?

In the Marines, we called it “Leaders' Legs.”

 

Why It Happens

Leadership brings urgency, focus, and personal ownership. When you're responsible, you naturally run harder. Your legs feel lighter, your lungs stronger and you carry a sense of clarity.

But clarity for the leader isn't always clarity for the team.

They may be committed, but uncertain. They may be motivated, but unaligned. They may be present, but mentally pacing themselves for the unknown.

And in that uncertainty, energy and engagement decline.

 

Two Leadership Choices

Before the run began, the leader had a choice to make:

  • Communicate the plan. Give clarity on the route, the distance, and the terrain, so everyone can pace themselves, conserve energy and finish together.
  • Withhold the plan. Deliberately leave the team uncertain, to test resilience and discipline in adversity.

Both approaches can be effective in the military, depending on the objective. They build robustness, cohesion, and psychological tolerance, encouraging people to operate under pressure without all the information.

But when we map these approaches onto the civilian world, the impact changes significantly.

 

The Civilian Leadership Blind Spot

In business, leaders often experience that same surge of energy, fuelled by responsibility and belief in the mission.

But here's the leadership blind spot:

When the leader runs ahead with their vision, but the team behind doesn't know the destination or the “why” — they don't feel inspired. They feel detached.

What looks like leadership speed often reveals leadership separation.

The leader surges ahead. The team quietly falls behind.

Over time, the gap becomes too wide to close.

 

Leadership Is Not About Pace, It's About Alignment

Leadership isn't about how fast you can run. It's about the pace your team can sustain.

Clarity is not a luxury. It's fuel.

Direction is not a detail. It's energy.

The plan doesn't have to be perfect, but the team must understand it enough to stay connected.

Because leadership is not defined by how far ahead you can go — but by how many you bring with you.

 

Final Thought

Empowering Growth — Where Leaders and Teams Move Together.