Lessons from a “Motorhead”

This past weekend I attended my first drag racing event at Maple Grove Speedway near Reading, Pennsylvania with a friend of mine. He is a “motorhead”, a term used affectionately to describe a passion and interest in automobiles and what makes them work. With his expertise and insights I soon received an education in the finer points of drag racing as a sport. Along the way I also discovered some practices that could serve leaders well in their work.

Drag racing is a highly technical endeavor. The races I watched featured semi-pro drivers, yet the level of technology required to field a competitive car was beyond anything I was expecting. Winning was dependent on knowing the capabilities of your vehicle, weather and track conditions, plus the competency and confidence of the driver. The margin for error was measured in thousandths of seconds. Effective leaders understand that being competitive in today’s marketplace requires a thorough understanding of one’s team, the market conditions, and your personal talents and skills. Knowing how to bring these elements together so they function efficiently can be the difference between success and failure for your enterprise.

The level of concentration required to win a drag heat is another lesson I learned. Drivers must not only set up their car properly but also execute their start flawlessly if they expect to finish first. The timing lights on a drag strip tree are unforgiving. When the yellow staging lights are set for both cars, and the tree begins the countdown to green, drivers must be able to focus and anticipate with near-perfect precision. Time and again I watched seasoned racers “red light” at the start and run their heat knowing that all was lost even as they were just beginning. With engines whining and adrenalin pumping it’s not hard to imagine losing focus for just a moment. In racing, that fraction of a second loss of concentration ended the driver’s day and sent them packing for home.

Business leaders would do well to stay focused and help their employees do the same. The very technology we depend on to increase productivity and enhance communication has a sinister side. Emails frequently interrupt our thought processes and force us to begin even routine tasks all over again. Our ability to concentrate has been declining steadily as we face a never-ending barrage of information. Just like the drag racer that loses focus we can find ourselves falling behind the competition.

My race day experience included many more examples I could share. Perhaps they will find their way into a future blog entry. Meanwhile pay attention to the many lessons you can learn by simply observing life around you. From the Phillies World Championship to presidential politics leaders can learn about overcoming adversity, being authentic, and never giving up. Thanks, Skip, for teaching me about the sport you love. While I will never be a “motorhead” I have gained a new appreciation for the talents and skills required to compete behind the wheel. I think my E.T. just got a little better.