As I stood at a distance, I admired the pleasant view of the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park and Sports Centre in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. I fondly remember holding outdoor training sessions there many times with my clients. But on this day I looked out from the 8th floor windows of P&P Ltd., waiting to meet with Stefano Passarello, the company’s Managing Partner.
Stefano is a very driven, disciplined and successful business leader having expanded the Hong Kong offices of P&P over the last 8 years from a few-person shop into a thriving services firm that competes head on with the Big 4 accounting firms. He attributes a lot of his success and positive attitude to one thing outside of the office which he treasures so dearly – running.
Stefano is a champion marathon runner who recently finished as the top local runner in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon earlier this year with a time of 2:36:50. As we spoke, I learned that running was not only a physical activity for Stefano, but one that builds confidence, fights fear and gives him focus & mental clarity.
Our conversation bounced between running and business, then philosophy and family. The common thread throughout the entire conversation was that peak physical condition was the foundation to achieve success in all areas of life. Check out our interview below where we discuss leadership, fear, confidence, competition, and more.
ALMA Wellness: In 15 words or fewer, define the word “healthy”
Stefano: The right balance between body and mind.
ALMA Wellness: Why do you love running?
Stefano: Aside from the physical benefits of losing weight and creating endorphins that keep me positive throughout the day, I believe that running elevates your personality. It lowers your inhibitions and focuses your mind – a lot like meditation. I call it “zoning.”
ALMA Wellness: What benefits do you attribute to your running lifestyle?
Stefano: The best social interaction occurs during running. It brings together a diverse group of people with a common interest. My running partners and competitors don’t know that I’m a Partner at an accounting firm, and they probably don’t care. I compete against Kenyans, Ethiopians, investment bankers, and students – when I’m on the course all I think about is beating them!
Running also gives me immense confidence. I believe the concept of a “Runner’s High” is halfway between chemistry and goal setting. Training for and accomplishing a challenging physical goal, such as completing a marathon, builds confidence that I bring with me to the office and to other parts of my life. People often live and work with fear, and to be a good leader I must set a good example. Confidence can be viral!
ALMA Wellness: Do you consider yourself a natural runner?
Stefano: Talent is natural, skills are acquired after 10,000 hours or 20,000 hours. I don’t believe in talent very much. I work hard and apply discipline to achieve success in my running career and in my accounting career. On most days, I run 6 – 8am before going to work. When I get to the office, I find balance. I focus on what I’m good at and I delegate tasks which are more effectively done by someone else. It’s also important that I spend time with my family in the evenings and on Sundays.
ALMA Wellness: What is your most influential “healthy ritual” that others may want to adopt?
Stefano: The “discipline of doing.” Every single day, I wake up and go running, even for 15 minutes. Doing something every day is the key. At first it may feel hard doing – one day it will be hard not doing.
‘Peak Performers’ is a special blog series on the ALMA Wellness website which highlights the stories of successful business executives and how a healthy lifestyle helps them achieve high performance and productivity in the workplace. We invite you to submit your story!
