What engineering leaders can learn from the discipline, focus, and strategy of a sprinter.
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Sprinting the 100m at an international level taught me more than just how to run – it taught me how to lead. Exploding out of the blocks, maintaining focus through the drive phase, and pushing through fatigue while preserving technique are lessons that have shaped my approach to engineering leadership and project delivery.
Sprinting is not only about speed but also about discipline and strategy. A powerful start sets the tone, but success depends on sustaining momentum during the grind, maintaining technique under pressure, and finishing strong even when fatigue sets in. These same principles apply to engineering projects: beginning with energy and clarity, navigating the inevitable challenges mid-project, and maintaining quality as you push for the finish line.
In this talk, I’ll share lessons from my personal journey as both a sprinter and an engineering leader. From leading high-stakes initiatives at heycar – such as unifying platforms across markets – to delivering complex features under tight deadlines, I’ll demonstrate how adopting a sprinter’s mindset can help you tackle projects effectively, keep your teams engaged, and deliver results with confidence.
Key takeaways
- The power of starting projects with clarity, focus, and explosive energy.
- How to sustain discipline and momentum during the “drive” phase of engineering.
- Strategies for maintaining technique and quality under pressure and fatigue.
- Lessons from elite-level sprinting that apply to leadership and team dynamics.
