Finished the Mt. Washington Road Race on Saturday, June 19, a 7.6 mile ascent to the 6,288 foot summit of the highest peak in the northeastern United States; did a 1:52, not bad for a first timer and given the hot weather. Northeast Delta Dental sponsors this race; we met some really great people from all across the United States. This was the hardest physical feat I have ever done in my life; the key is endurance and tenacity. Interestingly, as a leader, one is supposed to have vision and look out beyond; in the Mount Washington Road Race, though, I found I did better when I looked down and just pushed on like a turtle. So, recall Douglas McGregor, the Human Side of the Enterprise (1960), when he outlined two schools of management, theory X (employees have to be micromanaged) and theory Y (employees should be empowered and trusted). Later business gurus broadened McGregor’s theories and posited that leadership should be more situational, that generally, empowered employees (theory Y) is good, but occasionally (e.g, in a business survival situation) a leader may have to micromanage for a time. Well, here’s how this relates to the Mount Washington Road Race — normally, as a runner and a business leader, I want to look outwardly and with a vision, but for this particular ‘One Hill’ climb, looking down, persevering and plugging along, was the better strategy. Hence, situational leadership (in running or in business) is the way to go! Tom Raffio