Better Decisions Often Begin Before the Meeting

Yesterday, I walked into a meeting that involved a difficult decision—one that could affect many people. There wasn't a clear right answer, and I knew the discussion would require careful judgment.

Before the meeting, I went downstairs to our new gym.

I spent about half an hour lifting weights. Nothing extraordinary. Just enough to get my body moving, my heart rate up, and my mind away from the problem for a while.

I walked into the meeting sweaty - but much calmer.

My thinking was clearer. I listened better. I reacted less emotionally. The conversation felt different.

This isn't about fitness for the sake of fitness. It's about leadership.

Research consistently shows that executives who exercise regularly tend to perform better under pressure. They demonstrate stronger judgment, greater resilience, improved mental clarity, and more effective decision-making. The connection between physical movement and cognitive performance is well established.

We often search for better frameworks, better AI tools, or better strategies to improve our decisions. Those things certainly matter.

But sometimes, the quality of our thinking depends on something much more fundamental: the condition of the mind that is doing the thinking.

A healthier body doesn't just help us live longer. It helps us think better, lead better, and make better decisions for the people who depend on us.

By the way, if you're in the area, our new gym is open to everyone. You're welcome to stop by, get a workout in, and perhaps discover what I experienced yesterday.