Laura Kuldkepp, sport-active executive: "Pace as a leadership decision"

CEO/member of the board, Tradehouse

Running keeps my thoughts straight

I have been physically active my entire life. At different times, with different focuses. Running has always been a feeling for me, not an obligation. I run when I have the desire and the energy – not when my calendar tells me to. That feeling itself is my training plan. 😊

For years, I have proudly been a running tourist. I have flown somewhere just to run 10 km or 21 km – and why not? A new city, good company, and a small sporting experience are the perfect combination for me. There have been times when half of my annual running kilometers came from races alone. I suppose that was simply what suited me at the time. 😊

And as always – running builds appetite. At some point, marathons naturally followed half marathons. I do everything at my own pace, without pressure and without the need to prove anything. I do it the way I genuinely enjoy it. In April, my third major awaits me: London. And honestly, that does sometimes give me extra motivation to step out the door, even in rainy weather.

What does sport give me?

Golf entered my life so strongly for a few years that I spent more time on the course than anywhere else. That period was intense and very enjoyable – fresh air, movement, and a good rhythm.

And then the classic happened: I went to training… and at some point, I simply couldn’t hit the ball anymore. My motivation dropped overnight, and hard. But that’s how things go in life – ups and downs. I’m not writing golf off yet. I’m taking it easy and not rushing to sell my golf equipment either. The feeling will come back.

Running gives me a different kind of energy. Sometimes an evening “mental health 5K” is enough to clear my head and wrap up the day. While running, I often arrive at a new thought or a clearer sense of what truly matters at that moment. Small realizations that help me move forward – both professionally and in everything else.

Sport gives me freedom. Movement, a fresh feeling, and that small sense of satisfaction that something got done. That’s the whole point.

How does sport change my life?

Movement helps me sense pace. Not only on the track, but in everyday life as well.

There are times when you need to sprint – projects, faster decisions, situations that require quick reactions.

And there are moments when an easy jog is the only right pace – listening, thinking, recovering.

That is my philosophy: the pace can change, and that is completely normal. Not everything has to be done with intense effort. It should be done with enjoyment.

Leadership and sport – pace as the meaning of life

Running teaches that pace is never constant. Sometimes everything moves fast, sometimes the momentum fades – just like in life. What matters is simply not forcing yourself into a rhythm that does not fit.

The same applies to leadership: there are moments when you need to accelerate, and moments when it is wiser to let things unfold more calmly.

Which sport doesn’t suit me?

Triathlon is a discipline I have great respect for, but it will never be my world. Luckily, I also have a very good reason: I don’t go into water deeper than my knees. 😄 So triathlon is definitely one to leave to others.

What would I say to my 20-year-old self?

Do sport for yourself, not for others.

Find your own pace, and don’t let anyone tell you it’s too slow.

How do I find new sporting challenges?

At the moment, my sporting challenges are mostly connected to new places and international events. Some cities inspire me, some major events catch my attention, and some starts simply call to me.

In that sense, I am certainly not a textbook example. I don’t set myself training targets or deliberately build challenges. I look at my passport, my workload, and life as a whole – and for me, this kind of “free-form approach” works best.

I am also impatient and quick to catch ideas. When a thought comes, I usually sign up right away or buy the plane tickets. And then there is a very high chance that I will be on the starting line – fully present and truly enjoying it.

A question for the next leader.

As a leader, how do you sense the moment when the pace needs to change – before it is too late? When do you notice that it is time to speed up or slow down, in order to keep the pace right?