When Work Meets a Workout
30 minute partner AMRAP (as many reps as possible) of:
- 300m rowing
- 12 deadlifts (135 lbs for men / 95 lbs for women)
- 10 lateral burpees over the bar
No, it's not a workout. Well, OK, it is a workout. But it's not. The movements in that list are ingredients. Three specific activities intended to push the limits of what someone is capable of on that particular day, at that particular level of fitness. It should stretch the participant. Push them to a place physically that may be a little bit outside their comfort zone. Above all? It creates perspective. And creating perspective, for all intents and purposes, was the goal of this event. Let me explain...
Last week, the Drift sales leadership team ventured out of the office for an atypical offsite at CrossFit 128 in Wakefield, MA. Were we there to discuss strategy? No. Performance and thoughts on process breakdowns? Nope. Better options for territory mixes? Also no. What about a whiteboard session - would there be a whiteboard session? Well...yes. But a very different kind of whiteboard session. Remember, this is a Crossfit affiliate. And the only whiteboard that matters in a Crossfit gym is the one with the workout of the day written on it. What you see above was our workout. That was our whiteboard session.
The link between physical fitness and one's performance at work is well-documented. But this session at CrossFit 128 was not a sermon on fitness and exercise. The intent was to create a counterbalance for the sales leaders at Drift. To convert the stored mental stressors - that inherently come with leading high velocity sales teams at an extremely high-growth company - into physical exertion. And to complete it together, as a unit, working to accomplish the same goal.
A workout like that, for an individual, is a great release valve. It releases endorphins and instills a sense of accomplishment. But a workout like that for a team - who push each other to reach new levels of achievement on a daily basis - is cathartic. It's unifying. It's memorable. And it's what, ultimately, sets us up to win the long game together.
It's not often that those who work together, workout together. At least not like this. It's the first time in my career that I've had a chance to do that with a team. It was fun. We all learned a lot about each other that day without having to say a word (granted, it's hard to talk when you're just trying to breathe). The determination, the effort, and the cheering on of partners and peers, said it all. This is a team destined to summit a very tall mountain together.
Thank you to Jason, Mike, Sam, Michelle, Jillian, Kyle, Dakota, Jill, and Armen for all you do as leaders here at Drift. Your efforts - in and out of the gym - are deeply appreciated!!
Sales Leader Specializing in Account Management, Expansion & Client Development
5 年This is awesome. To your point, Josh, exercising as a team brings with it a different type of experience and the comparisons to a highly functioning sales team are many. Like an individual contributor on a sales team, working out by yourself requires discipline and commitment to getting better when no one else is watching...and the hard work pays off.? But, when you have a group of dedicated individuals, a team, who truly enjoy the success and accomplishments of their teammates, the motivation to work even harder, to push yourself further than you think you can go, creates an incredible experience for all involved. Thanks for sharing this.??
Founding Shareholder @ Steri-Clean SoCal.
5 年What do you think is the most painful problem you’re facing on a daily basis?
Driving Better B2B Sales | Full Funnel Sales Enablement | Sales Ops Consulting | Sales Tech Enthusiast | Sales Skills Developer | Human Conversation Advocate
5 年They know you'd been training for it, right, Josh?
very cool "convert the stored mental stressors - that inherently come with leading high velocity sales teams at an extremely high-growth company - into physical exertion."
Nice piece Josh , brings back memories , hope your well.