How To Lead The Pack Like Sifan Hassan

3:10 pm was the kickoff time for the 10,000m race at the FBK Games (World Athletics Continental Tour). The race began with two pacemakers to get a good time. However, six minutes into the race, Hassan took the lead and had a field day lapping the entire field.

When Hassan crossed the finish line at 29:06:82 minutes to break the world record, it was out-of-this-world. She is also the world record holder for the 5km women’s road race and the mile. Her consistency over the years is not in question.

Watching Sifan’s running style over the years has thought me some interesting leadership lessons.

Knowing When To Lead From Behind

As in Mandela’s autobiography, he equated a great leader with a shepherd: “He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.”

Hassan’s races over the years show one common trait. She does not take up the lead until when it matters. In the Diamond League, WC, Olympics, she maintains a position at the tail-end of the field when the whistle goes off.

Maybe it is a strategy to master the pace of the race to do differently towards the last lap. It could also be to reserve energy that is most needed during the last lap.

However, she still influences the race from behind. Other runners know her potential. They have seen her win major championships even when she starts behind. This makes many runners want to put some distance between Hassan and themselves from the start. Trying to prevent her from catching up with them.

• Leadership is not a sprint. You do not have to fly out of the blocks to prove your competency. Your ability to maintain your pace while guiding your team members matters.
• When you lead your team from behind, they strive to out-perform you. You have given them the go-ahead and confidence to try doing so.
• Taking a step back to watch your team members gives you knowledge about their struggles and where/how to help.

Knowing When To Lead Upfront

Much as Sifan likes to chill behind and survey the race at the start, she knows the best time to step up. This was evident during the final of the women’s 1500m World Championship race in 2019. The athletes huddled together in the first lap until Hassan came forward and propelled other athletes to do the same. She led the race to the finish line.

According to the commentator, “She tore a world-class field to pieces.” Her speed influenced the quick times of her fellow athletes, breaking many records.

Hassan’s finish time was a Championship record. Kipyegon came in second and set a National record. Tsegay came in third and set a personal best. Houlihan came in fourth and set an area record. Laura Muir came in fifth and hit a season’s best. Debues-Stafford came in sixth and smashed the Canadian national record. Chibet came in seventh but it was her personal best.

All the above may never have happened if Sifan had stayed behind as usual. She stepped forward, won the race, and lead the entire field to record-breaking heights.

• Leadership entails influencing a team to make the right moves at the right time. Your ability to know when to step forward and let your team members follow in your steps is crucial.
• Your team members want to see you do it sometimes. They want to watch you complete the same task you have assigned to them.
• Taking a step forward sets the pace for your team’s results.

In Conclusion

Like Sifan Hassan, an outstanding leader must acknowledge when to step back and lead from behind as well as when to take control of the group. Micromanaging your team does not increase productivity. It breeds fear.

However, some tasks demand you step up and take control.

Understanding when to loosen and tighten the reins is a crucial skill when leading a team of people.

“You don’t lead by pointing and telling people someplace to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case.” — Ken Kesey

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