Want to sponsor this newsletter or other content? Reach out to me directly, Jacob[at]thefutureorganization[dot]com.
Join 45,000 other subscribers who get Great Leadership delivered directly to their inbox each week. You’ll get access to my best thinking and latest content. Sign up today.
…
If you’re a Chief Human Resources or Chief People Officer, then you can request to join a brand new community I put together called Future Of Work Leaders which focuses on the future of work and employee experience. Join leaders from Tractor Supply, Johnson & Johnson, Lego, Dow, Northrop Grumman and many others. We come together virtually each month and once a year in-person to tackle big themes that go beyond traditional HR.
Did you know that the way you train your body is the key to training your mind?
Leaders often obsess over productivity hacks, decision-making frameworks, and mental resilience. But the secret to better leadership isn’t found in boardrooms, strategy meetings, or business books. You’ll be surprised because the biggest leadership advantage is actually found in endurance training, recovery cycles, and even how we physically navigate the world.
Endurance expert and award-winning journalist Alex Hutchinson joins us on the Future Ready Leadership Podcast to reveal why top CEOs train like elite athletes, how Zone 2 training and VO2 max workouts mirror the demands of leadership, and why burnout isn’t just about working too much—it’s about how we recover. We also unpack the hidden dangers of AI in decision-making, the decline of creativity, and how organizations are now treating employees like high-performance athletes.
If you think leadership is all about mental stamina, this episode will challenge you to think again.
Listen to the episode here on Apple Podcast & leave a review!
Why Top Leaders Train Like Endurance Athletes
In leadership, making decisions is one thing—but making the right decisions under pressure is another story. Every leader has to push through uncertainty, manage stress, and stay mentally sharp in the face of challenges. Interestingly, these are the same skills that endurance athletes master through training.
Alex says many of today’s top CEOs and executives approach their work like an endurance sport. They incorporate structured endurance training, strength workouts, and recovery practices into their routines—not just for their health, but to improve their focus, resilience, and ability to handle stress.
These leaders don’t view fitness as a hobby; they see it as a strategic advantage to their leadership because it’s how they train for mental clarity, stress management, and decision-making. And more importantly, it’s about avoiding the real cause of burnout: long-term stress without recovery.
Why Burnout Isn’t What You Think It Is
A lot of leaders assume burnout happens because they’re working too much. But Alex explains that’s not really the case. Burnout is about chronic stress—the slow, compounding strain of never shutting off, never stepping back, and never fully recovering.
He makes a key distinction between acute and chronic stress:
-
Acute stress is temporary—it’s that high-pressure moment before a big meeting or the rush of adrenaline before a tough negotiation. It can actually make you stronger if you recover properly.
-
Chronic stress is the problem. It’s the never-ending cycle of back-to-back meetings, unrealistic expectations, and constant pressure that never lets up. Over time, it wears you down, drains your mental energy, and kills your ability to perform at your best.
Think about elite athletes. They don’t train at max intensity every single day. They cycle between high-intensity training and strategic recovery. Yet in the corporate world, we glorify the grind while ignoring the fact that sustainable success comes from balancing stress and recovery, not just pushing harder.
Leaders need to think more like endurance athletes, even if they’ve never run a race in their life. Work hard, but recover harder. Take breaks, create space, and build in seasonality—just like professional sports teams do. If you don’t, you’ll hit a wall.
…
HR just changed for good with the introduction of Human Intelligence™.
By combining AI and the uniquely authentic data of Workhuman’s #1 rated employee recognition platform, Human Intelligence reveals what good looks like in your company, with previously unobtainable insights into skills, performance, culture and more. Human Intelligence also helps coach employees on what good peer-to-peer recognition looks like, turning every “good job” into better engagement, retention, and wellbeing. And it helps surface feel-good stories that illustrate the best of your company culture.
Learn about Human Intelligence at Workhuman.com, and join our force for good.
…
The Wellness Industrial Complex: What Works and What’s Hype?
Companies have spent billions of dollars on corporate wellness programs: meditation apps, gym memberships, cold plunges, saunas, and more. But do these things actually work, or are they just expensive perks?
Alex shares what the science actually says: Exercise is by far the most effective tool for improving brain function, managing stress, and building resilience. While things like cold plunges and saunas might have benefits, they aren’t a substitute for the fundamentals: regular movement, proper nutrition, and structured recovery.
There’s a growing trend Alex highlights where companies are treating employees like high-performance athletes—providing resources that go beyond basic wellness. Think mental coaching, structured recovery, and performance tracking. The key, though, is making sure these programs actually help employees perform better and feel better, rather than just being another checkbox benefit.
How AI and Algorithms Are Killing Exploration
We live in a world where AI and algorithms tell us what to do—what to eat, what to watch, what to listen to. While that makes life more convenient, it’s also making us less curious and less creative.
Alex explains the concept of cognitive mapping, which is how our brains build an internal understanding of the world. When we rely too much on technology to navigate, predict, and optimize everything, we stop exploring. And that has a real impact on our ability to problem-solve and innovate.
Take leadership, for example. The best leaders don’t just follow what’s been done before—they explore new possibilities, test new ideas, and challenge assumptions. But if AI is always guiding our decisions, are we really exploring anymore?
This is one of the biggest risks of the efficiency-obsessed workplace—leaders must strike a balance between optimizing for productivity and leaving room for curiosity, creativity, and risk-taking.
Listen to the episode here on Apple Podcast & leave a review!
How to Train Like an Endurance Athlete for Leadership
So how do leaders apply this athlete mindset to their work? Here’s what Alex recommends:
1. Follow the 80/20 Rule of Training
Athletes spend 80% of their workouts at low intensity (Zone 2 training) and 20% at high intensity (VO2 max work). The same applies to leadership—not every day should be an all-out sprint. Build in steady, sustainable work, and save the intense efforts for when they matter most.
2. Manage Stress, Not Just Time
Leaders often think productivity is about time management, but it’s really about energy management. High performers understand that balancing stress with recovery is the real key to longevity.
3. Don’t Rely on AI to Think for You
Exploration drives innovation. If you always take the most optimized, data-driven route, you’re missing out on the ideas, insights, and risks that lead to breakthroughs.
4. Train Your Brain Like a Muscle
Just like physical exercise improves endurance, memory, and decision-making, leaders who push their thinking beyond routine efficiency develop sharper problem-solving skills and creativity.
Final Thoughts: Leaders Are Endurance Athletes
There’s a reason why so many top CEOs train like athletes—it’s not about looking fit, it’s about thinking better, leading smarter, and performing at the highest level.
If you want to build resilience, sharpen your decision-making, and avoid burnout, start thinking like an endurance athlete. Balance stress with recovery, embrace curiosity, and train your brain like you train your body.
This conversation with Alex Hutchinson was one of the most insightful deep dives into how fitness, leadership, and resilience are deeply connected.
…
HR just changed for good with the introduction of Human Intelligence™.
By combining AI and the uniquely authentic data of Workhuman’s #1 rated employee recognition platform, Human Intelligence reveals what good looks like in your company, with previously unobtainable insights into skills, performance, culture and more. Human Intelligence also helps coach employees on what good peer-to-peer recognition looks like, turning every “good job” into better engagement, retention, and wellbeing. And it helps surface feel-good stories that illustrate the best of your company culture.
Learn about Human Intelligence at Workhuman.com, and join our force for good.
…
To hear all the details and get Alex’s full breakdown on what really works when it comes to stress management, corporate wellness, and exploration, check out the full episode here:
🎧 Listen here
🎧 Watch on YouTube
#Untold #Connection #Fitness #Leadership #Success #Alex #Hutchinson #Jacob #Morgan #BestSelling #Author #Speaker #Futurist #Leadership #Future #Work
