Team Work Truly Helps Everyone Work Better Together to Produce Amazing Results!

During 2022 I have become a keen and increasingly proficient cyclist, having recently raised a significant sum for charity as a result.

On Saturday, I was encouraged to join a group of road cyclists on a 30-mile ride. There are 3 groups relating to speed, the advanced group was an average 18+mph the intermediate group, average 16 to 18mph and then the final group at 14 to 16mph.

My best average speed over this distance is 16.3 mph so it made perfect sense, that I needed to ride with the group averaging 14 to 16mph.

I was however "encouraged" to ride in the intermediate group which was totally outside my comfort zone. I was both worried and nervous, not wanting to be the one that was at the back, holding up the group.

Starting the ride, I made a point of sitting in the middle of our group of 7, trying to fit in with the more experienced riders. It was clear this was my first ride in a group and everyone around me offered encouragement and support, I soon felt part of the group in fact it was clear we were a team of riders working together with a shared goal, and everyone having accountability for success or failure. I really felt part of something.

As the ride continued, we were sitting at an average speed of just under 19mph for 10 miles! I was blown away, it seemed so much easier working together, rather than cycling on my own. 

After a short while I decided it was my time to take the lead, I felt good and my energy was high, I was not prepared for how hard it was leading the team. It was tough taking the lead and I had bitten off more than I could chew! I had to admit to myself and the team I could not perform at the front and I needed to drop back to being part of the team rather than leading it, whilst the desire was there, I was not ready.  

It was a great ride we worked together and achieved success, we finished at 18.2mph for the 30 miles. More than a 10% improvement on my personal best!

So, what did I learn from this exhilarating experience?

Understanding your strengths and how they fit in to the team is so important. If you take on too much or try to do a role that you're not ready for, it can impact everyone and the success or failure of the teams' goals. That is not to say you cannot develop, you just need to take your time to hit the front!

Here at PYP we work with businesses and teams to create the environment and platform for success. Using our proven model "The Triangle of Potential" together with the Belbin team roles methodology, when working with teams and individuals we help create successful, confident, innovative and high performing teams. We work with individuals to learn about themselves and support them working with internal and external partners and stakeholders to maximise working relationships.

As a business, if you want to take that step and develop your teams to go further, faster, and achieve goals that they didn't believe were possible, then get in touch.

Andy Co-Founder of PYP