Lessons from the tour.
Everyone who knows me, knows this I love the Tour de France. I love it because I love cycling, I love the thought and preparation that goes into the each team, I love how each team needs to be a cohesive, strong unit or they will suffer for 3 weeks with no reward.
Currently, the tour is in the Pyrenees, the riders are looking for yellow and the fans want action. What team are you cheering for? Or is it a rider? A sprinter, GC, King of the Mountains? Who is your favourite? Are you looking for something great from Lance? Do you want "the boss" to win #8? Are you hoping for an upset? Or do you think Alberto has got this in the bag?
Regardless of your pick the reality of the tour is this - you need a team. You need a cohesive team - a team with one goal. Yesterday Alberto Contador, as talented as he is, as capable as he is to win #2, proved he is human. I always thought this is why people didn't like Lance, wanted him to be caught cheating or doping -they didn't believe he really is honest, works for the team and expects the same. Lance didn't win 7 tours because he is an amazing cyclist. He won 7 tours because he built an amazing team, a team with one goal, committed to that one goal and a team director who had absolute belief in that goal.
Lance is a great athlete and the reason he is a great athlete is because he thinks about his goals, understands the sacrifices that must be made and what is expected from him to see results. These include not having everyone like you, having a singular purpose, not settling for anything else.
Alberto proved he is human and a little intimidated by Lance by attacking his team while they were working together for the good of the team. You have probably experienced this at work, the team is working toward a goal and suddenly someone on the team does something out of the blue, takes credit for a team idea. What is going on?
Why is it so hard to commit to a goal, work toward it and celebrate the success of every team member? Time will tell if Alberto has damaged his relationship with the rest of the team. We know that Lance has earned the respect of the peloton and his team. His team has experience and fitness, these guys know that this is a three week sufferfest - one that can't be won alone.
The reason I love the tour is because I love the tactics, the incredible fitness level of the cyclists, the tactics and planning of the tour managers, the changing rules and the route that requires a new plan every year. I want the best rider to win, the best team to take control, I don't want one silly move by an insecure team mate to put the whole plan in jeopardy.
I love the tour because if a team prepares and executes their plan the results are amazing. If the tour (or Lance) can inspire one person to commit to their vision with the same focus that would result in great things that would be worth three weeks in France on a bike.
Currently, the tour is in the Pyrenees, the riders are looking for yellow and the fans want action. What team are you cheering for? Or is it a rider? A sprinter, GC, King of the Mountains? Who is your favourite? Are you looking for something great from Lance? Do you want "the boss" to win #8? Are you hoping for an upset? Or do you think Alberto has got this in the bag?
Regardless of your pick the reality of the tour is this - you need a team. You need a cohesive team - a team with one goal. Yesterday Alberto Contador, as talented as he is, as capable as he is to win #2, proved he is human. I always thought this is why people didn't like Lance, wanted him to be caught cheating or doping -they didn't believe he really is honest, works for the team and expects the same. Lance didn't win 7 tours because he is an amazing cyclist. He won 7 tours because he built an amazing team, a team with one goal, committed to that one goal and a team director who had absolute belief in that goal.
Lance is a great athlete and the reason he is a great athlete is because he thinks about his goals, understands the sacrifices that must be made and what is expected from him to see results. These include not having everyone like you, having a singular purpose, not settling for anything else.
Alberto proved he is human and a little intimidated by Lance by attacking his team while they were working together for the good of the team. You have probably experienced this at work, the team is working toward a goal and suddenly someone on the team does something out of the blue, takes credit for a team idea. What is going on?
Why is it so hard to commit to a goal, work toward it and celebrate the success of every team member? Time will tell if Alberto has damaged his relationship with the rest of the team. We know that Lance has earned the respect of the peloton and his team. His team has experience and fitness, these guys know that this is a three week sufferfest - one that can't be won alone.
The reason I love the tour is because I love the tactics, the incredible fitness level of the cyclists, the tactics and planning of the tour managers, the changing rules and the route that requires a new plan every year. I want the best rider to win, the best team to take control, I don't want one silly move by an insecure team mate to put the whole plan in jeopardy.
I love the tour because if a team prepares and executes their plan the results are amazing. If the tour (or Lance) can inspire one person to commit to their vision with the same focus that would result in great things that would be worth three weeks in France on a bike.
1 Comments:
Awesome post and well written. Everyone should read this. Very inspiring to motive and remember what teams are built for. Great follow up article to read from our 'Sucess' topic the other week. Success for me is understanding the sacrifices, like you mentioned, and having the same conversation in my head go away. Thank you for writing, Toby.
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