The Tour de France is perhaps the world’s greatest event for team cycling. This is a test of endurance that each year captures millions of viewers and embodies the spirit of team competition.
In the Tour, there are 20-22 teams with 9 riders in each. Each team member works collaboratively to best position their predetermined star rider to win. During the stages of the race, the team members set the blistering pace, pierce headwinds, and enable drafting to fortify the efforts of their star cyclist.
The cyclists subordinate their desire for individual glory for the sake of the team win. The greatest attention by fans and media alike is bestowed upon the team’s star rider. Yet, without the unwavering, synchronized support of his teammates and without their tireless often years-long training, the star rider could never succeed in his 2,200 mile quest.
This grueling, epic event underscores the importance of teamwork in the pursuit of greatness. Individual success is certainly what drives the Tour de France’s notoriety (think of Lance Armstrong’s popularity pre-scandal), yet it is the team’s united effort that delivers their champion the coveted yellow jersey.
This scenario runs parallel to visionary entrepreneurs, and their sometimes surprising success in new markets. Today, new companies emerge with innovative products and mind boggling, billion dollar market caps. Often it appears that one, great mind stands above the rest as the visionary, the trend-setter. Yet, behind the scenes, there is always a committed group of hardworking team players. You don’t always see them or read about them in the paper, but there are there, peddling hard against the wind.
Without the developer’s marathon coding sessions, without the sales team’s tireless calling efforts, the visionary entrepreneur would be just another person with an idea in Silicon Valley. No one can accomplish truly great things alone. Success is achieved by the cumulative effort of a dedicated group of people, and it is teamwork that enables breakthrough performance that often seems unachievable.
Much like business development, the Tour is a dangerous and costly ride. Yet it is the strength and fortitude of the cyclists that brings success, even when times get treacherous. Good business teams do the same.
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