Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results. - Andrew Carnegie
As the curtain draws to a close on another Tour de France I’m reminded once again how important team work is. For those unfamiliar with the sport of cycling it’s easy to look at the winner and believe it’s the result of individual effort. However, this could not be further from the truth. To win the toughest race in the world requires the work of every man on the squad. Whether it’s to pull their leader up a mountain or to hammer the pace in order to pull back a break away; each man must depend on the others in the squad.
For an exhaustive 3 weeks of pain, suffering, highs and lows they have to stick together with the goal that one of them ascend the podium in Paris and slip on the coveted yellow jersey.
Working at a tech startup reveals many of the same characteristics. It’s about the talent that you surround yourself with unified towards a common goal. An understanding that even with great talent you can still fail. It requires trust, sacrifices and ultimately a belief you can change the world. You have to see yourself, nay will yourself to the top of the mountain where others fear to go.
In real life I don’t need to be Cadel Evans. I do however want to work on a team that shows the same level of dedication and commitment that BMC did over the last 3 weeks. At the end of the day a win for Cadel was a win for the team.
I want to win! Who’s with me?
