Fit for the Future: Building A Strong Business for Challenges Ahead
“In the face of adversity, your true strength shines” – Tommy Rivs.
The Boston Marathon has always been a dream of mine. Although I might need to wait until the qualifying times are more forgiving with age, it’s a challenge I am determined to conquer someday. Speed has never been my strength, but what I lack in speed, I make up for in endurance.
Every April, as the Boston Marathon nears, I find myself thinking about one of the most inspirational ultrarunner’s - Tommy Rivs. Diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma in 2020, Tommy was left fighting for his life. His grueling battle meant extensive chemotherapy and a medically induced coma that left him with only about 20% of his lung function. Despite the odds, he fought his way back to health with the same resilience and determination that once powered him across the finish line in long-distance races.
Just two years after his diagnosis, Tommy made an emotional return to the Boston Marathon, a race where he had previously achieved his personal best of 2:18:57. This time, he used a run-walk method, finishing in 6:31:54. He returned again in 2024, improving his time to 4:45:32, a remarkable testament to his ongoing recovery and dedication to rebuilding his health.
Tommy’s story isn’t just about his recovery, it’s a blueprint for preparing for an uncertain future. The specific type of cancer that threatened Tommy’s life has a high likelihood of returning. With this in mind, Tommy trains, builds, and pushes forward not just to celebrate what he’s overcome, but to ready himself for whatever may come next. In his words, “The primary goal is to be fit enough to battle cancer if—or, more likely, when—it returns.”
For me, Rivs' experience closely mirrors the challenges of leading a business. His journey offers profound lessons for CEOs dedicated to fortifying their companies before adversity hits. Just as you wouldn't train for a marathon during the race, you can't build resilience in the midst of a crisis. Tommy Rivs diligently focused on his physical recovery to prepare for any future setbacks.
Here are seven ways CEOs can train like Rivs – preparing today to endure tomorrow:
Outline Your Guiding Principles: To start, leaders must first ensure a clear mission, vision, and set of values are firmly in place. These elements serve as the foundation upon which all other strategies and actions are built. For Tommy, his mission was to regain his health and strength, a purpose that kept him grounded and focused throughout his battle with cancer. His vision, to one day return to the Boston marathon, served as a powerful image of the future that motivated his relentless training. His values guided his behavior and decision-making, helping him stay consistent and intentional in his recovery process. This framework was essential for Tommy to carry out the steps necessary for his recovery and eventual return to racing. Likewise, an organization's mission, vision, and values are critical to its ability to establish clear direction and purpose to achieve its goals.
Rigorous Financial Management: Tommy's recovery required careful management of his physical resources, focusing on essential aspects of his health. Similarly, CEOs must prioritize financial health by revisiting budgets, reducing non-essential spending, and preserving cash flow. This disciplined approach ensures that companies have the necessary reserves to weather economic storms.
Purposeful Cost-Cutting: In recovery, Rivs made deliberate choices about where to focus his energy and efforts. For CEOs, this translates to making strategic cuts without compromising core capabilities. By identifying and eliminating inefficiencies, companies can maintain their competitive edge while reducing costs.
Train for the What-Ifs: Every step Rivs took was a gamble – would his lungs hold up? Would his body respond? He trained with uncertainty in mind. Likewise, CEOs must scenario plan to anticipate market volatility and prepare for varying economic conditions. Developing contingency plans and stress-testing business models helps ensure the organization can adapt to changing circumstances.
Invest in Innovation: There was more to Rivs' recovery than regaining lost strength; he was also intent on building a foundation for the future. CEOs should take a similar approach by investing in technology and innovation, even when things are going well. The companies that thrive through downturns are those that engineer the road before they need to drive down it.
Building a Strong Team: Behind Rivs stood a team of medical professionals, family, and friends who provided the necessary support and believed in his recovery. CEOs must do the same by organizing teams that are strong, agile, and cohesive to navigate challenges together. Investing in people, culture, and employee development fosters trust, loyalty and shared purpose.
Pace Yourself, and Stay the Course: Tommy didn’t rush, instead he stayed committed and honored the process to rebuild his strength over time - small daily deposits as he puts it. Leaders should also prioritize resilience and strategic thinking over quick fixes. Patience allows CEOs to thoughtfully respond to adversity without compromising their values or making impulsive decisions. By maintaining composure and a long-term perspective, CEOs can navigate their companies effectively, even when pressure mounts.
The truth is, every company, just like every athlete, will face what feels like an impossible challenge. When that time comes, will you be ready? Just as Rivs worked to prepare his physical health for future challenges, CEOs must fortify the health of their companies during times of prosperity to withstand economic downturns. Because adversity, just like an unwelcome diagnosis, can strike without warning. In the words of Rivs himself, “Keep calm. Rage on.”
Photo courtesy of iFit.
