Leadership Lessons from a School Sports Day!It’s that time of year again when the annual Sports Day looms. The excitement had been building for weeks at my son’s school ahead of annual Sports Day. The children had been practicing in their weekly sports/PE sessions and all that remains (I thought) was for me to attend on the day and cheer everyone on as houses competed against each other in order to win points.

The sun was shining and the parents’ chatter was warm and friendly as children valiantly competed in race after race. The team spirit really shone through as parents congratulated their children, not only for winning, but also for taking part.

That comfortable, relaxed feeling, however, soon turned to dread as I glanced down at the Sports Day programme, only to clock the Mums and Dads race. For a few fleeting moments, I gave real consideration to participating, but then glanced around the side-lines and noticed that many parents (who had obviously participated before) had come prepared for the event.

I quickly spotted trainers, an array of Day-Glo sports gear and what genuinely looked like parents starting to limber up on the side-lines. The big event got closer and closer and suddenly, the dads were called to the starting line. We were sitting near the finish line, but my goodness me, you could feel the testosterone from there!

What looked like it was going to be a ‘fun run’ appeared to be something very different. ‘On your marks, get set, go!’ Suddenly, this huge wave of competitiveness overtook all these men as they sprinted to the finish line. The look of sheer determination on their faces, despite quite frankly the fact that many had never been inside a gym for years.

And as if that wasn’t competitive enough, then came the Mums race. Ladies were kicking off their summer sandals, preparing to run in bare feet, others handing over tiny babies to friends and family. Soon too, the ladies were under starter’s orders and off. The competition was fierce and the look of purpose and resolve on their faces clearly demonstrated a desire to win, almost at all costs.

The children, however, found it highly amusing to watch their parents, who ordinarily spend most of their days behind a desk or driving them to and from school or social activities, running as fast as they could. Although entertained by the funny expressions and how out of breath they were upon crossing the finish line, ultimately, for the children, the fact that they took part at all was important.

So I learned two things from standing in the side-lines at this Sports Day. Number one, it was clear that the burning desire to win was shown in equal proportions by both male and female competitors. Secondly, it highlighted, the risks involved with significant exertion for those that are not accustomed to it. You could see that some parents did participate in exercise, however, the vast majority, including myself, chose to abstain from the event to avoid injury and embarrassment.

So, the leadership lessons that I took from this were that, even on Sports Day, there is a huge desire to win, almost to the exclusion of embracing the fun intention of the parents’ race. But more importantly, we all need to ensure that we take regular exercise to keep ourselves fit, healthy and well. I am personally now on a renewed fitness regime to ensure that I can participate in whatever Mums and Dads activity next Sports Day brings – without the injury and embarrassment!