Lessons from Formula One - Building High-Performance Organisations through Teamwork and Collaboration

Just a couple of weeks ago, NVPC held our annual staff retreat at SuperPark Singapore —it was a well-deserved break from the office and a precious opportunity for staff to have fun and strengthen relationships outside the usual work setting. Our people are what makes us uniquely NVPC - the camaraderie among our team members enables us to be a cohesive and effective team that is able to collaborate and deliver excellent results?together. This work of strengthening our team spirit is not taken lightly; it is crucial in helping NVPC achieve our aspirations as an organisation — to fulfill our purpose of Nurturing the Heart of Singapore and to realise our vision of a City of Good.

This coming weekend will see the exhilarating return of the Formula One (F1) Singapore Grand Prix. We will not only hear the roar of F1 cars zipping around the Marina Bay Street Circuit; we will also witness firsthand the drivers' rigorous training and spirit of excellence displayed on the streets of Singapore.

While the drivers often receive the most attention among F1 fans, the unsung heroes, who are critical to the success of the team, are the pit crews. During these exciting and intense races, the moments that are most critical, that can make or break the chances of winning, are the pit stops. These are the moments when all twenty highly skilled members of the pit crew execute, in less than two seconds, a perfectly choreographed operation that exemplifies the pinnacle of performance and teamwork.

During our day at SuperPark Singapore, while the activities and tasks were certainly less intense than a F1 pit stop, they provided opportunities to showcase our team spirit and unwavering tenacity as an organisation. Whether it was quickly devising a team cheer within minutes, competing in a fast-paced dodgeball match, or giving our best in the final challenge despite fatigue from the day's exertions, each activity honed our ability to think on our feet and work together under pressure.

I am heartened to witness how, on numerous occasions, the NVPC team has stepped up to challenges, adapted our strategies and performed well under high-pressure and intense circumstances.? Indeed, I have seen how the teams that bring together their unique strengths and resources in an open and collaborative manner, are the ones that achieve the best outcomes. This spirit of teamwork and collaboration is crucial to any organisation’s ongoing success and future achievements.

F1 Lessons to Build High-Performance Organisations

As demonstrated by these F1 pit crews, organizational performance depends on everyone knowing and executing their role flawlessly, especially when it comes to teamwork and collaboration within and across teams, and when working with external stakeholders. Teamwork requires trust. To perform and deliver optimal outcomes as a team, we must have trust and confidence in other team members to do their tasks with the same care for the work and to the best of their abilities.

When our personal roles and responsibilities are aligned around a common goal, the team has clarity of purpose in the work. Everyone is clear of where the team is headed, and every decision and action must help us get closer to the common goal. For this to be possible, there needs to be a high level of transparency – be willing to share information in a timely manner and have the courage to call for help when help is needed. This is so that the team can progress together, and no one is left behind. Everyone has a part to play in fostering this environment of support, cohesion and unity.

Not many organisations will work under conditions that mirror the high-octane world of F1, but each and every one of us has a role to play when coming together to build an effective and high-performance organisation. How we react to high-stress and high-intensity situations, how we address unforeseen changes and challenges while keeping a level head, determines how far our team can go and how much it can achieve collectively. This mentality needs to permeate across the entire organisation, where a Common Purpose will lay the firm foundation for each individual to contribute to our collective success.

For our team at NVPC, we are guided by our purpose to Nurture the Heart of Singapore, and our vision of a City of Good where everyone gives their best towards a more caring, inclusive and compassionate society. This is NVPC’s collective commitment and our common goal.?

For those of us who are fans, have a great F1 weekend ahead!