My friend looked forlorn.
“I’ve been reading a lot of books on leadership,” he shared, “and the topics are foreign to my manager. He looks like he just ate something disagreeable when I raise a concept I’ve learned and he quickly changes the subject.”
Unfortunately, that’s all too common. Leaders that avoid learning about leadership.
Athletes practice a sport. Artists hone their craft. Cooks seek new techniques. Yet many in positions of influence make no effort to improve their leadership skills. We can do better at getting better.
Leadership Lessons from Cyclebar
I didn’t want to be there. It was early. It was cold. I would soon be exhausted and drenched with sweat. The other riders waiting for the spin class at Cyclebar struck me as way too cheery. I might have been a bit grumpy.
I sat on the bike and clipped in. Over the next 45 minutes, thirty-some of us followed the instructor as she challenged, cheered, and rallied us toward a goal. I did sweat profusely. I also learned a lot about leadership.
Set the Pace
How fast you pedal along with how much resistance you have set determines your effort score. The less resistance, the faster you must pedal to get a higher score. In any class, you change them both. How do you know how fast to pedal or how much resistance to use? The instructor lets you know a few seconds in advance.
“We’ll be changing our resistance to 40–50, with speed between 90–110. In five, four, three…”
The advance notice lets you prepare. The explicit instructions guide you towards your goal. No one feels lost.
Better yet, she is front and center doing the work with you. As she asks you to increase your resistance, she’s reaching down to increase hers. She never asks us – her “team” – to do more than she’s willing to do herself.
By doing the work, the teacher understands the challenges of the journey. She doesn’t minimize the pain, she acknowledges it. This allows her to empathize. She keeps going as she ask you to keep going.
Great leaders guide you with clarity towards an ultimate goal. They inspire others through their own example.
Understand the Importance of Rhythm
You never hear, “Maximum resistance as fast as you can go for the next 45 minutes!”
To get the best overall workout, the teacher adjusts speed and resistance. You experience hard stretches. Sometimes there are flat roads. You even have moments of hydration. The variety keeps people motivated and supports the natural physiology we have.
Some leaders gauge their influence by how much pain their team is enduring at any moment. Not suffering? You slacker! That’s a shortsighted strategy that won’t accomplish a long-term vision.
Skilled leaders are aware of their team’s cadence, tuning in, and never unafraid to adjust.
Encourage Collectively and Individually
The instructor regularly cheers on, or challenges, the entire class. “We” is the most common word she uses.
She’ll also encourage individuals by name. It may be someone who is crushing it (she can see each person’s performance on her tablet). Or, it may be someone she senses will need some encouragement to get through the upcoming stretch.
Talented leaders reinforce team success. They also know and appreciate the unique value of each team member.
Stay Visible
The teacher remains in view of the class. If she needs to step off her bike to help someone, or take care of something outside the classroom, she announces it before proceeding. She also reassures us it is temporary, which is always backed by reality.
Even in those brief periods of time, the back-and-forth swaying of the cyclists can get out of sync. Some leaning left on the beat, some leaning right. With no leader to see, people will follow the closest person in their view.
Exceptional leaders show commitment and are available. Whether it’s guidance from a physical presence or through virtual tools, they keep their teams moving to the same beat.
Celebrate When Done
At the end of class, the teacher hops off her bike and waits by the door. She has a chilled lavender-scented towel and a high five (pre-coronavirus) waiting for each member.
Whether you ended in the leaderboard’s top group or not, it doesn’t matter. You made it, you contributed, and you share in the team’s success.
Great leaders know how to celebrate with their teams.
You Got This!
Commit to improving your leadership knowledge and skills this quarter. Read at least one leadership book and take notes. Find someone to engage in topics of leadership, and discuss.
If all else fails, schedule a spin class. You’ll get in shape and witness some awesome leadership principles at the same time!
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