🏃️ Embracing Persevilience: A Journey in Running and Charity Leadership 🌟
As an avid ultra runner and CEO of Yateley Industries for the Disabled Limited, I’ve come to appreciate the synergy between endurance running and restoring a charity. When I run, I often listen to podcasts and one of my favourites is ‘Where There’s a Will, There’s a Wake’ with the inimitable and irreverent Kathy Burke. A recent episode I listened to featured Alistair Campbell and it introduced me to a new portmanteau he created which has resonated with me deeply ever since.
The word he has coined is “persevilience” – a blend of perseverance and resilience.
In the world of ultra running, perseverance propels us forward when every step feels like a struggle. It’s the mindset that keeps us going, mile after mile, despite (or even because of) the physical and mental challenges. Resilience, on the other hand, is our ability to bounce back from setbacks, to navigate the unexpected twists and turns of the trail.
Stubbornness and the ability to endure is also a McMullan clan trait, so clearly I am comfortable in this space! However, persevilience to me is also about the effect of becoming stronger because of the struggle.
In my role as CEO, I’ve found these qualities to be equally crucial. Rebuilding a charity is an ultra-marathon, not a sprint. It requires relentless perseverance to push through obstacles and setbacks, coupled with the resilience to adapt and recover when faced with unforeseen challenges. For me, it is the overwhelming belief that it can be done and the knowledge that resolve and fortitude will increase as a result of the journey.
At home, when we are faced with a difficult task either of our choosing or not of our making, the rallying response is always delivered with a wry smile; “We love a challenge.”
Just as with any long-distance run, our journey at Yateley Industries has had its highs and lows. From navigating ongoing financial hurdles to fostering a culture of inclusivity, the path has been demanding. Yet, it’s the shared spirit of persevilience that has allowed us to overcome, learn and grow stronger.
🌈 Yateley Loves a Challenge
As part of my second interview, the Board asked me to suggest what to do with the empty spaces on our site. I pitched a Community Hub – and when I was appointed, I set about making it happen, at speed, with very limited resources.
It has been like rebuilding a race car, with a rusty screwdriver, during a championship race, on the side of an erupting volcano.
We have been beset by logistical, financial, technical and human challenges too many (and honestly too unbelievable) to cover succinctly but during the journey, the key thing we did was bring in the right people, at the right time, like the perfect support crew for a professional ultra runner.
The team around me have allowed me to remain focussed on the outcome and our combined persevilience has been better than any team building that money could buy.
Through this lens of persevilience, I’ve witnessed the incredible potential for transformation, both in the running community and within the heart of our charity reborn.
I invite you to reflect on your own journey – be it in your professional endeavours or personal pursuits. How can persevilience propel you forward?
Let’s keep pushing the boundaries, embracing the endurance of the long run and fostering a culture of persevilience. Together, we can achieve remarkable feats, on the trails and in our missions.
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