Thread by @MerrieW

So impressed with @BlairBraverman talk today. Not only is she an athlete/writer, she’s also a fantastic inspirational speaker! Jewels of wisdom I captured for our #UglyDogs community. Thread...

Mushing is a team and individual sport. You spend time investing individuals, building trust. As the leader YOU are responsible at the end of the day. They run bc they know you have their backs.

Leading a dog team, you are dealing w a tremendous amount of power. (Video of dogs pulling the Intl Dog Bus was awesome.)

Mushing is less about managing dogs and the wilderness. Really managing your own fear.

When she began, Blair was fixated on perfect runs. Eventually the sport became about managing not a avoiding problems.

There’s always a solution. You take what is available and build an imperfect way to solve a problem.

Know your strengths. Blair shared she had a different style, slow motion problem solving, unique to her and she’s embraced it. (Reminiscing back to carrying dogs over river crossings in Iditarod)

If you don’t have it. You don’t need it. ( I ❤️ this). Focus on what you have. Don’t focus on what could/should. Wasted energy.

Embrace temporary discomfort. Learned that doing the thing that is right and required (undress in -30 degree to put on dry underclothes) even when your mind and body are fighting it.

Leadership takeaways: The weight of leadership is solemn,earned and always starts with trust. Teams have power and potential energy so be thoughtful where you lead. We all grow when we admit to our fears and choose to keep going.

& Being perfect isn’t the endgame, adjust and learn is the muscle you want.
Don’t spend energy on what you don’t have & focus on what you do and bring that energy to your team.

Finally being a role model is one of the most important roles leaders play and I could not have been more proud that my daughter met one of her’s today. Thank you Blair!