Hi First name / there,
 
It’s the end of Q1, and a new season begins.
Over the past few months, we’ve been immersed in winter, and I hope you took some much-needed time to rest and reset—just like the season invites us to do.
 
Now, with the arrival of spring, we’re stepping into longer, warmer days that call for more energy and action. So, are you feeling well-rested and ready for this next season?
Here are some questions to reflect on:
  • Did you take time this winter to rest and reset?
  • Do you take a break to recover after having an intense project?
  • And do you encourage your team to do the same?
Just like nature transitions, we need to pause, reflect, and prepare for what’s next.
Think of it like running a marathon: to perform at our best, we need a balance of strategic preparation and recovery.
 
Leadership works the same way. It requires training, pacing, strategy, and resilience—key ingredients for building sustainable teams and organizations.
 
Indeed, our founder Zuzanna Borek has a story to share about a marathon she ran over a year ago, having learned invaluable lessons from preparing for it in just five weeks. In this Newsletter, she is recounting her experience and sharing valuable insights.
 
How did building sustainable teams and organizations help me run my marathon?
 
I signed up for a marathon just five weeks before race day. And I had never run a marathon before. As a first-time runner, I knew I had to prepare properly. But when I Googled ‘How to train for a marathon in five weeks’, the results weren’t exactly encouraging. Not only do most guides recommend at least 3–6 months of training, but they strongly advise against training in fewer than 10–12 weeks.
Had I made a mistake?
I don’t think so. Actually, as an executive team coach, I had the chance to apply, even unconsciously,  the same principles I teach organizations about navigating change and reaching ambitious goals. By leveraging that knowledge, I successfully crossed the finish line, 30 minutes sooner than I anticipated, and celebrated my first completed marathon with a huge smile, without any injury.
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After reflecting on this experience, I saw the parallels between marathon training and building sustainable teams and organizations:
 
1. Know your starting point
Knowing where you are right now is crucial—even if it’s not where you wish you were. Being honest with yourself and acknowledging your current reality is the first step to success.
  • What are your team's strengths and opportunities?
  • What are your team's current challenges?
  • Is your team at the stage you'd like it to be?
 
2. Set realistic goals
This one is hard for me—I’m a big dreamer. But here’s the truth: I know I have a tendency to set huge goals, so I make sure to ask for help when needed. That’s key to actually achieving them.
  • Are you setting realistic goals for your team and organization? For yourself as a leader?
  • Do you need support to reach your targets?
     
3. Plan strategically, with your people in mind
Your plan should be grounded in both experience and self-awareness. For example, I knew I could commit to four training sessions per week for five weeks, but I also knew I couldn’t sustain that for 10 weeks or more.
Yet, in organizations, we often plan as if people have the same energy level five days a week, every week. But humans aren’t machines—we can’t expect them to operate like one.
  • Have you looked at your internal data? On average, how many days off do your employees take per year?
  • Do you have a policy for employees well-being and healthy work ethics (e.g. no meeting after 4 p.m.)?
     
4. Build a supportive environment
Having a strong support system made all the difference. The people who truly support you—who believe in your vision without you having to convince them—are invaluable.
When I decided to run the marathon, I shared my plan only with a select few: those who would respond with an enthusiastic “How amazing!” rather than questioning whether I was too tired or busy. The skeptics? I told them afterward.
  • Is your support system fully on board?
  • Or do you find yourself repeating the same conversations, trying to justify your vision?
     
5. Know your why
What’s the purpose behind what you’re doing?
For an individual goal (like running a marathon), it’s personal—I did it for a nice t-shirt and to listen to an audiobook for a few hours without being disturbed by my family and kids. 
The same goes for teams and organizations. The why needs to be crystal clear and well-communicated. And by communicating, I don’t just mean crafting the perfect message—I mean making sure your people actually hear it and understand it.
  • Don’t just implement changes.
  • Make sure everyone knows why decisions are being made—and that they make sense to them.
Conscious rest and intentional resource management were my greatest contributions to a successful marathon. The solid foundation I had built allowed me to take bold risks—and succeed.
 
After reflecting on these thoughts, I felt it was time to share them with you. They may not be new to you, but sometimes the smallest moments in our daily lives offer valuable lessons we can apply to our work, team, or organization.
 
And I invite you to do the same:
Take some time to reflect on all the above questions. If possible, invite your team into the conversation. A brainstorming session could help surface valuable insights and align everyone’s energy for the new season.
 
We hope this next chapter brings fresh energy to you, your team, and your leadership. And, if you want to harness the energy of spring to inspire growth in your team and leadership, check out this insightful article: How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders
Warmly,
The Fierce Up Team
P.S.: At Fierce Up, we're kicking off fresh with a new workshop! On April 24th, we’re hosting a 2-hour session in Lisbon on ‘Sustaining and Cultivating Relationships Remotely.’
If you’d like a workshop like this for your remote and hybrid teams, feel free to reach out at contact@fierce-up.com. We’d be delighted to bring fresh energy and insights your way!
 

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