Written by Dr. David Lenihan, CEO and co-founder of Tiber Health
During the daytime hours, I’m the CEO of a medical school with three global campuses. I’m also the CEO and co-founder of a startup that provides medical education curriculum to schools around the world.
Both roles require exceptional concentration, the ability to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions, and the capacity to overcome adversity, regroup, and move forward. While my education and work history have provided me with vital tools, I have a secret after-hours weapon that helps me cruise the victory lane:
iRacing.
While it may seem unusual for a hyper-realistic online gaming platform to deliver formidable personal and professional development, iRacing, with a virtual Formula Ford 1600 (my favorite car), is the secret sauce that regularly gets me into the winners’ circle.
Here are five ways that iRacing can give any weekend warrior driver a significant advantage on the corporate track:
1. iRacing introduces you to a new community
Every workday, I’m deep in the worlds of healthcare and higher education— including pit stops in governmental affairs, technology, global regulations, budgeting, management, financial projections, and more. The language, mindsets, and concerns of my co-workers and me are distinct to our professional domains, and to excel, we must be fully immersed in and committed to them.
iRacing offers me a chance to briefly escape from my everyday responsibilities and accelerate into an intelligent, passionate, and savvy universe of fellow racers. The terminology, topics, and energy that we share are invigorating, and this transformation gives me a boost I look forward to whenever I log in for another drive or race.
2. It ramps up your competitive nature
Being a CEO requires me to be highly driven (sorry, I couldn’t resist), and the well-being of our organization and team depends on my ability to deliver consistent business wins.
iRacing is an exciting outlet for my insatiable competitive spirit. The races, even if I don’t hit the pole position, give me plenty of confidence and satisfaction that energizes my at-work performance. When I’m steering my GSI wheel and pumping my Simicube pedals, I can be aggressive, take massive risks, and – occasionally – be instantly rewarded for my calculated boldness.
3. It forces you to focus
If you’re serious about competing strongly in a race, you have no chance of doing well if you allow yourself to be distracted by work, family, household to-dos, or anything else. Your mind must be in 100% lock mode with the track, your pace, your rig, and your fellow racers.
Some people can achieve this level of unswerving immersion by working out, playing music, or other hobbies. The difference with iRacing is that any mind-wandering or momentary lapse of attention can cause collisions, engine failure, and explosions —and you’re done.
The requirement to be present and steady in my iRacing endeavors helps me reset to be engaged and productive while in the office.
4. It compels you to adapt to dynamic situations
Because you’re competing against fellow human racers, you can never anticipate how their unpredictable behavior will completely upend your expectations while on the track.
Cars will come out of nowhere and suddenly block your path. Red-shelled drivers will swerve recklessly, causing havoc for you and your fellow drivers. Others will zoom by you, or slow everyone down. Drivers veering onto the grass or gravel can kick up debris, reduce traction, and create hazardous conditions. Every lap is different, and even the methodical strategy can require immediate revisions to accommodate the changing terrain.
Learning to calmly and strategically navigate iRacing’s high-fidelity, uncertain simulation has helped me build competencies that are surprisingly adaptable in my professional pursuits.
5. It requires patience and practice
Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000-hour rule is relevant for developing iRacing prowess. You must put in the effort to become a more competent competitor.
Unfortunately, many of my CEO peers, once promoted to that position, overlook the need to refine, diversify, and bolster their talents continually. While they may think it isn’t necessary to hustle and grow to maintain their edge, it’s only a matter of time before that complacency catches up to them and their organizations.
The training and preparation I put into my iRacing adventures, and the improved execution they enable, remind me that the same approach is essential for CEO success.
I began iRacing at the tail end of the COVID lockdown, and I was instantly hooked. Since then, I’ve earned my Class A iRacing driver’s license, competed in popular races (Oran Park, Virginia International Raceway), and even won a bit of prize money. At the end of my workday, I strap in and give my skills a spin for at least an hour.
iRacing is a pastime that brings me tremendous joy and fantastic challenges. The fact that it has enhanced how I plan and implement my CEO responsibilities is a delightful bonus that I didn’t expect. I invite my fellow CEOs to try it out, enjoy the benefits it delivers, and meet me on the track for some friendly – and perhaps a wisp of not-so-friendly – competition.
