Three days until Triathlon. You can learn all you want to know about the Buffalo (Minnesota) Triathlon here: http://tribuff.com Don’t you just love the play on URLs? The answer is “no,” registered triathletes won’t be competing in the buff. Buffalo is a small town of 10,000 inhabitants just west of Minneapolis. On Sunday, June 3, the population will grow by 10% or so as 1,000 of us converge to jump in the like, then peddle a bike, and finally run through the streets in order to exclaim, “I did it!” followed by eating several Johnsonville brats or a big double cheeseburger as their “reward.”
This is my taper week, so I’ve only done one evening of weights, one short ride and run (tonight) leading up to Sunday. Last night I picked up the wet suit I rented and practiced putting it on and taking it off (yes, there’s a trick to getting out of it). And the big question remains unanswered: Does this wet suit make my butt look fat? Of course the main thing is how well it fits and whether or not I’ll be able to swim better in it. I intend to practice in an actual lake prior to Sunday. Lately, the wind around here has been blowing persistently, making workouts outside mostly unbearable. I’m such a fair-weather wannabe triathlete. I mostly just want to get this triathlon thing behind me so I can enjoy the rest of summer!
Speaking of enjoyment, I’ve been reading “The Caine Mutiny” for the first time, and noticing how Wouk weaves in the obvious leadership styles of the Caine’s captains – and how comparable they are to those in leadership of say, Fortune 500 companies. Styles differ dramatically, and as we all come to learn from working for various managers in that the “by the book,” and “my way,” styles can be equally effective. It all depends on the motivations of the person leading the group. Willie Keith may not have liked Captain DeVries, but I feel he’s really going to have a full appreciation of him by the time Queeg gets mutinied.
My favorite “style” of manager is the one who knows how to collaborate and seeks collaboration with the entire team. They direct and motivate you to do your own personal best without ever giving an order or ultimatum. These leaders, of course, typically have one thing in common: They have a very solid team of players whom they’ve been blessed with leading!
I’m fortunate to be on a great team!
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