I am a value-oriented investor. I am also a recreational marathon runner. When my wife recently gifted me a membership to a running club, I found an unexpected connection between these two worlds. This connection has made me rethink not only my approach to marathon running, but also my understanding of business management.
When Lower Intensity Leads to Higher Results
Lessons from the world of elite athletics.
January 17, 2022
Darren Robb/Getty Images
Summary.
Many professionals spend most workdays laboring at medium intensity. In contrast, elite endurance athletes spend most of their time working at low intensity — running so slowly it almost appears lazy — and a little time training at high intensity. They reject medium-intensity work, because it has limited payoff. Professionals can learn from this training regimen. This article offers examples from investing, sales, R&D, and M&A to ask the question: Will a polarized routine of low-high intensity lead to better outcomes than working at medium intensity most of the time?
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New!
HBR Learning
HBR Learning
Time Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Time Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Make smarter, more purposeful choices about how you spend your day.