Hard Yards. Reflections on dealing with adversity at work

Simon Allsop

August 2024

I first heard the term ‘hard yards’ when living in Australia. I think I first heard it from a Rugby League or Australian Rules football commentator describing the hard-earned gains a player makes when advancing through tacklers, even dragging them along in a super-human effort. The hard yards are the most strenuous, precious marginal gains that often make all the difference. It is all too easy to quit or relent when faced with the hard yards. That is what makes gaining them so valuable, so inspiring to teammates and deflating to opponents.

Once the term had registered with me I heard it more and more often in different contexts. Sometimes describing difficulties or obstacles in business or politics. Sometimes referring to tough times in life or even mental health challenges. I like the phrase. To me it graphically illustrates the extra effort and fortitude that life asks of all of us at times. It motivates me to think I am battling through some hard yards when needed.

I find it interesting to think about hard yards in the context of our work, which is recruiting leaders for Life Science companies. Most would concur that Life Science companies have endured some hard yards in recent times, fashioned by sociopolitical uncertainty, macroeconomics and funding challenges. It has become significantly harder to advance new treatments, clinical programs and to grow companies. The knock-on effect for recruiters in the industry is obvious; less growth, less vacancies; less hiring. Hard yards.

Everybody has days that feel harder than others. Days when the effort required to move forward and do what is expected feels draining and onerous. For me those days are typically ones where the next milestone feels a long way off, the next win elusive. I find it harder to motivate myself to engage in an activity when the returns are uncertain or distant. Difficult market conditions necessitate these activities. I try to remind myself though that these are only hard yards in my mind. The obstacles are, in fact, purely psychological. What I do is a lot easier that trying to carry a rugby ball past or through three giant, powerful professional athletes straining every sinew to stop me.

I find it works to focus on the activity in isolation and put aside thoughts of the outcome or return. Talking to board members and executives about their challenges and aspirations is always interesting. Using my acquired experience to help them is deeply rewarding. I do enjoy the energy of one-to-one interaction and committing to helping one another professionally is a positive and communal pact.

The concept of ‘being present’ is fashionable. Quieting the mind to focus wholly on what is in front of you is easier said than done but as a professional practice truly works. I have learned through a long career that when you give people your full attention and do what is right good things follow. That next win which might seem a long way away will move inexorably closer. Through this lens the yards ahead of me, are actually, not hard at all.