Today’s Tuesday Reading is from Marcela Norton, Assistant Director, ITS Human Resources, Boston College and a MOR program participant (alum after this week!). Marcela may be reached at [email protected].
Dedication
Last week, I crossed the finish line of my 14th Boston Marathon. 26.2 miles. It was, without a doubt, my most challenging race. During my training, I faced setbacks I hadn’t anticipated: lots of pain followed by grueling knee issues. But this year was different. As I reflect, despite the pain that was in my body, I am filled with a sense of profound gratitude. I am grateful not just for the finish line and the medal, but also for the clarity this journey has provided me through my time in MOR.
To my family: Thank you for being my foundation. My mother’s kindness and my father’s legacy of hard work were the rhythm of my strides.
To my husband: You have been my greatest pacer through every up and down.
To my mentors: Thank you for showing me that my bilingualism and my personal struggles were never weaknesses; they were the superpowers that fueled my passion for people.
To my MOR Cohort: I am deeply grateful. Thank you for allowing me to listen to your journeys. Hearing your stories, your challenges, and your triumphs has been as transformative for me as my own reflection. MOR has taught me that leadership is a shared race, and we become stronger when we learn from one another.
Our Heartbreak Hills
In the Boston Marathon, there is a famous stretch called Heartbreak Hill. It hits at mile 20, exactly when my body was most depleted, and it tested whether I had the spirit to finish. We all have our own Heartbreak Hills. Mine was the pain of losing my language, the struggle to reclaim my identity, and eventually, the loss of my father. But I have learned that those hills are not just obstacles; they are where we find our true strength. We each have our own personal and professional Heartbreak Hills.
Let’s embrace those uphill miles. As I think back on our MOR experience, I’m reminded how much of our growth came from sharing our leadership journeys honestly, openly, and with empathy for one another. There were so many moments when the path was unclear and the struggle was real. In those moments, progress didn’t look like having all the answers. We simply put one foot in front of the other. With a little distance and a lot of gratitude, I can see how perseverance and adaptability shaped us into more resilient, more compassionate leaders. When we embrace today’s challenges, we turn those struggles into tomorrow’s growth.
Being Intentional
For years, I was the HR leader who was always in the trenches, extinguishing fires, fixing staffing crises, and navigating emergencies. I took pride in being the “fixer.” But through this program, I have learned to pause, to move from the chaos of the dance floor to the clarity of the balcony.
This shift has transformed me into a more intentional leader. I am evolving from a leader who simply manages a workforce into a leader who acts as a strategic partner. I now understand that my greatest impact comes from being intentional with my time, my words, and my presence.
With Gratitude
I dedicate my Boston Marathon medal to my 2026 MOR Cohort. It is a token of my gratitude for your support, and also a symbol of our collective ability to overcome and to create growth as leaders. Just as we conquer the hills of the course, we have the strength to conquer the uphill miles of our leadership journeys.
Which has most led to the personal growth you are most grateful for as a leader?
Last week we asked which is most important to you in your continued growth as a leader:
- 29% said maintaining productive habits
- 24% said fostering lasting relationships
- 19% said deep self-reflection
- 15% said practical skill-building
- 13% said revisiting leadership basics
As we consider our continued and lasting growth as leaders, it comes from continued and lasting practices. This includes productive habits, lasting relationships, and deep self-reflection. We also benefit from periodically revisiting our skills and leadership basics. And, as we read today, the context also matters as we create growth through overcoming struggles.