Chief Change Officer Podcast - Episode #369: Chris Schrader on The 24 Hour Race Story – Part Two
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Host: Vince Chan
Guest: Chris Schrader, Founder and Executive Chairman of 24 Hour Race
Introduction
In Episode #369 of the Chief Change Officer podcast, host Vince Chan engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Chris Schrader, the visionary founder and executive chairman of 24 Hour Race. This episode, titled "From Rainy-Day Idea to Global Movement – The 24 Hour Race Story–Part Two," delves into Chris's unique approach to leadership, team building, and managing challenges both in the wilderness and the corporate world. Building upon their previous discussion about the genesis and evolution of 24 Hour Race, this installment focuses on translating life-and-death expedition lessons into effective business strategies.
Overcoming Challenges and Defining Purpose
Vince Chen kicks off the discussion by acknowledging the remarkable growth of 24 Hour Race from a simple idea to a global movement raising over $20 million to combat human trafficking. He probes into the myriad challenges Chris and his team faced during this journey.
[04:50] Chris Schrader:
"We've honestly had hundreds of thousands of challenges... existential through to incidental."
Chris elaborates on the struggle to define the organization's identity—whether it was a grassroots NGO, an events provider, or an anti-slavery charity. One significant moment was receiving a threat from ISIS during the peak of their terror activities, forcing Chris and his team to make a critical decision about continuing their event. He uses a mountain-climbing analogy to describe overcoming obstacles:
"When you climb a mountain... you identify an approach... attempt to summit... sometimes you have to turn around and reevaluate." [04:55]
Leadership Lessons from Expeditions
Vince appreciates Chris's philosophical approach, recalling a Chinese saying about mountains, which resonates with Chris's perspective on continuous growth and challenges.
[07:14] Vince Chen:
"However high the mountain is, there's always another one higher."
This philosophy not only applies to building the charity but also to Chris's diverse business ventures across cultures.
[07:58] Chris Schrader:
Chris shares a transformative experience from 2011 when he, at 17, embarked on an expedition to walk across the Gobi Desert with seasoned explorers. They faced navigation challenges when GPS signals failed, resorting to stellar navigation:
"Good goals are like the North Star... you can follow it, but you'll never reach it." [09:00]
He emphasizes setting meaningful goals that guide daily decisions and are worth pursuing even in the face of failure.
Integrating Expeditions into Business Leadership
Vince shifts the conversation to Chris's multifaceted business endeavors, seeking insights on how his expedition experiences influence his approach to for-profit ventures.
[11:51] Chris Schrader:
Chris outlines his academic journey from East Asian Studies to computational neuroscience at Harvard, eventually taking an indefinite leave to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. He draws parallels between expedition team dynamics and business team building:
"A business is a watered-down version of an expedition." [14:00]
He highlights the importance of addressing team weaknesses promptly, contrasting the expedition world's zero-tolerance for underperformance with the often lenient business environments. Using another rowing analogy, he explains:
"The first boat is only as fast as the second boat." [15:30]
Chris emphasizes servant leadership, where a leader's role is to support and empower top performers without overshadowing them.
Notable Quote:
"As an expedition leader or as a business leader, I'm effectively the secretary for the team... guiding the direction of the whole." [17:00]
Servant Leadership and Decision-Making
The conversation delves deeper into servant leadership. Chris differentiates between being a servant leader and building a leadership myth, asserting that effective leaders must sometimes make tough decisions for the greater good.
[19:09] Vince Chan:
"You are a servant leader... the silent force behind the success."
Chris acknowledges his imperfections and discusses the complexity of leadership beyond mere servitude.
[19:34] Chris Schrader:
He challenges the notion that leadership is solely about serving, adding that leaders must embody qualities that inspire and sometimes require ruthless decision-making:
"You're not there to make everybody individually happy... to achieve a particular goal." [21:00]
He warns against masking low performers in business, drawing from expedition experiences where unresolved issues can lead to significant setbacks.
Notable Quote:
"A business is an expedition on easy mode." [23:00]
Balancing External Expectations with Personal Purpose
In the final segment, Vince poses a two-part question to Chris about family influences and balancing societal expectations with personal fulfillment.
[24:09] Vince Chen:
"How did your family influence you, and how do you balance external pressures while staying true to your purpose?"
[26:05] Chris Schrader:
Chris attributes his success to the strong values instilled by his parents, such as ethical behavior and perseverance. He recounts advice from a mentor who cautioned him about human nature's exploitative tendencies, shaping his mission's realistic scope.
He reflects on Nietzschean philosophy, advocating for a vitalist approach—living with energy and seeking present joy while using past and future as guides:
"Aspire toward values... maximize your human experience today." [30:30]
Chris emphasizes the importance of impacting those closest to you, valuing personal connections over global magnates like Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg. He believes true fulfillment comes from nurturing meaningful relationships and contributing positively to the lives of family and friends.
Notable Quote:
"All of us have that opportunity today to look at the people that we know and make a difference in their lives in a positive way." [33:00]
Conclusion
Vince wraps up the episode by highlighting Chris's dedication to servant leadership and his commitment to making a tangible difference both in his charitable endeavors and business ventures.
[34:33] Vince Chen:
"If you like what you heard, subscribe to our show... follow me on social media."
Key Takeaways
- Purpose Definition: Clearly defining the organization's identity is crucial for strategic direction and sustainability.
- Leadership Philosophy: Servant leadership, inspired by expedition experiences, emphasizes supporting team members and addressing weaknesses proactively.
- Resilience and Adaptability: Overcoming challenges requires flexibility and the ability to pivot strategies as needed.
- Balancing Goals and Values: Striking a balance between personal aspirations and fulfilling familial and societal expectations leads to a more satisfying and impactful life.
- Impact on Close Relationships: Prioritizing and investing in close personal relationships can be more fulfilling and impactful than aspiring to global fame.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Chris Schrader:
"Good goals are like the North Star... you can follow it, but you'll never reach it." [09:00] -
Chris Schrader:
"A business is a watered-down version of an expedition." [14:00] -
Chris Schrader:
"As an expedition leader or as a business leader, I'm effectively the secretary for the team... guiding the direction of the whole." [17:00] -
Chris Schrader:
"You're not there to make everybody individually happy... to achieve a particular goal." [21:00] -
Chris Schrader:
"A business is an expedition on easy mode." [23:00] -
Chris Schrader:
"Aspire toward values... maximize your human experience today." [30:30] -
Chris Schrader:
"All of us have that opportunity today to look at the people that we know and make a difference in their lives in a positive way." [33:00]
About 24 Hour Race
24 Hour Race is a global movement dedicated to combating human trafficking. Founded by Chris Schrader, it has successfully raised over $20 million in the last decade through innovative events and global outreach, embodying the principles of transformative leadership and purposeful action.
For more episodes and insights from transformative leaders, follow Chief Change Officer on LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.