From Peloton to People: Teamwork Lessons from the 2024 Tour de France

Let's be honest,?cycling can seem like a solo sport.?One rider against another or the clock,?pushing their limits in extreme heat, on gravel grounds, and brutal mountain climbs.?But thanks to shows like Netflix's "Unchained," we're seeing the magic behind the scenes:?the power of teamwork.

The Tour de France is a grueling three-week battle,?and winning it takes more than just one superstar. There's a lot for credit union leaders to learn from it to help put our movement in a spot to take top of the podium.

Dominating Like a Domestique: The UAE Train and Member Service?

Two-time GC winner (2020, 2021) Tadej Poga?ar is showing dominance again this year.?It’s no surprise, he’s been the team stand out for years and his team has worked quietly in the background supporting him. But this year,?his UAE teammates like Juan Ayuso and Jo?o Almeida aren't just great domestiques (support riders).?They're potential podium contenders themselves. If they really wanted to, they could seek victory for themselves and handicap Poga?ar. Lucky for Poga?ar though they understand that delivering him to the finish line first as many times as possible instead of seeking a one-off win for themselves, benefits the longevity of the entire team, just like a holistically strong credit union benefits its members for generations to come.

Translation for Credit Unions:?Invest in your team's professional development.?Even if everyone has individual goals (loan officers hitting quotas,?financial advisors building portfolios),?a focus on excellent member service that benefits everyone strengthens the entire credit union.

The Power of the Lead-Out Train: Collaboration for Bigger Impact

Think of Mark Cavendish’s sprint victories.?He came into this tour with one goal in mind, to break the record of the most stage wins in Tour history. His success relies entirely on the perfectly timed efforts of his teammates (spoiler alert: they delivered for him, and he now stands at 35 stage wins, with 2 weeks of racing still to go) and sometimes even other teams coordinating to box in other riders to give him a chance at victory. Similarly,?credit unions can collaborate on projects that are too big for one to tackle alone.?Imagine a joint financial literacy program offered by several local credit unions – the impact would be far greater than individual efforts.

Translation for Credit Unions:?Look for opportunities to partner with other credit unions or community organizations. Maybe it's a joint scholarship program,?a financial wellness workshop,?or even a co-sponsored community event.?United, credit unions can make a bigger difference.

Leaders Who Coach, Not Just Command: Fostering a Team Spirit

Tour de France team managers are more than just bosses.?They're strategists,?reading the race and devising winning tactics.?They're motivators,?keeping spirits high during grueling stages.?Sometimes,?they're even on-bike mentors,?whispering encouragement as riders push their limits.?Credit union leaders can adopt a similar approach to cultivate a strong team spirit.

Translation for Credit Unions: The key is knowing your team.?Just like a Tour manager studies each rider's strengths and weaknesses,?leaders should understand their team members' skills,?interests,?and career aspirations.?Regular one-on-one meetings and skills assessments can be a great starting point.?But it's not about micromanaging.?The best Tour managers empower their riders to make decisions on the road.?Similarly,?credit union leaders should trust their teams to own projects,?take calculated risks,?and learn from mistakes.

And don't forget to celebrate the wins,?big and small.?A Tour victory gets the yellow jersey and a podium celebration,?but there are smaller victories throughout the race.?Leaders should acknowledge and celebrate individual and team achievements,?no matter the size.?This reinforces positive behavior and keeps motivation high.

Finally,?Tour teams rely on seamless communication and teamwork.?Leaders can encourage this by creating cross-departmental projects,?team-building exercises,?and open forums for brainstorming.?Invest in your team's growth too,?just like Tour managers invest in rider development.?Offer professional development opportunities – it shows a commitment to their growth and fosters a sense of shared purpose.

By adopting this "coach,?not command" approach,?credit union leaders can create a team environment that's not just productive,?but also enjoyable and inspiring.?This,?in turn,?translates to a more engaged workforce,?better member service, and ultimately,?a stronger credit union serving its community.

So,?the next time you see the peloton (pack of riders) working together in the Tour de France,?remember – that's the same kind of teamwork that makes credit unions thrive!

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