Running Is the New Golf

 The best way to develop meaningful network has nothing to do with “networking.” It’s about doing good work, having the courage to put it out there, and engaging with people on topics you care about.

- Brad Stulberg

 

Building a shared sense of community helps create the relationships and interactions that bring people together and make teams successful. Community is a core part of building a culture in a world where we have a thousand things to do. Exercise routines are often the first thing to get sacrificed in the long list of other priorities.

 

Historically, golf has been a great sport for business - however, only afforded by select few. The whole point is the select few are gunning for the CEO or higher positions, hence the starting point itself is expensive and not available to all.

The use of handicapping allows mixed skill groups to compete and there’s plenty of time to talk. But golf takes too long for most of us and can be more frustrating than relaxing and not to miss, the expense of the sport. It sure is a good networking place - however, not for all.

 

Runners tap the network for all kinds of resources and people across departments and industries. The world is large when it comes to running because it’s more available. All you need is a pair of t-shirts, shorts and shoes however some could do without shoes too! It’s the diversity in the groups that makes networking all the more interesting.

 

Running at a modest pace is something most people can do. At a conversational cadence, there’s plenty of time to talk between breaths. And you can get a reasonable run with a running partner, or in a group in less than an hour. The health benefit is the icing on the cake.

 

Apart from being a part of just the running events, weekend runs help runners’ network as they effortlessly slip into conversation (an ideal rule of the thumb is to run at a conversational pace 80% of the time) and sometimes a hearty breakfast that follows.

 

Or what about those times in a party or in a meeting when you spot a person wearing a GPS watch and you know he or she will be a runner and you have to start a conversation? It could work as a nice ice breaker too. Instead of exchanging business cards, you exchange Garmin/Strava details and your plan for the next run.

 

The reason it’s so effective is that you don’t get into it with the expectation of business connections and rather for the love of the same sport. Running serves the same comfortable connected experience as golf because if there happens to be a lapse in conversation, you are not left holding an empty wine glass and searching for something clever to say. Running in silence is, thankfully, just as acceptable.

 

Running with your co-workers can also help see your co-workers in a different light and can make all the difference in how you treat each other.

Running is an incredible equalizer where it doesn’t matter what your vocation is – if you can run together, that’s all that matters. And all of this without the thought of networking. The latter just comes in as a byproduct.

 

Happy running and happy holidays.