Next to the start of our company, Jochem and I were also training for a full triathlon (3,8km swim, 180km cycling and 42,2km run). Together. Jochem slightly faster than me, but with the knowledge that you are doing it with somebody. Knowing, that somewhere on the track somebody else is fighting. A kind of teamwork.
Our preparation started months ago and we kept each other up-to-date through all kinds of ways (whatsapp, strava, calling, mailing, face-to-face, etc.) and we tried to motivate each other. Jochem, being physically the strongest of the two of us, stimulated me the most and also confronted me: Are you doing enough? Are you going to make it?
My schedule was tight, but I was confident: I am going to make it! That was until I had two injuries closely following each other. In both cases, I could not do any form of exertion for 10 days. Then things became clear, very clear: I had not build-in enough reserves to take in these setbacks. Apart from being very disappointed myself, I had to disappoint someone else: Jochem. From my own experience I know that it is a blow when your buddy drops out. This made the disappointment even bigger for me. If only I had trained better!! I did decide to inform Jochem right away about my situation and my decision to drop out. With a heavy heart..
And what did Jochem do? He was amazing! Yes, he was disappointed and he told me so. But he was disappointed for me!! No finger pointing, no ‘I told you so’. Nothing like that. He did ask me questions: if a lower intensity of training was possible? And maybe the most important question: what did I see myself still doing?
What happened? Jochem continued his training for the full triathlon. And me? I support and cheer him on from the side line, from start to finish. Still a kind of teamwork.
What have I learned? That you are allowed to make mistakes, really. And when you can admit to your mistakes you can learn from them. My training schedule for next year is already ready, and this one I will follow.
What can leaders (and team members) learn from my experience? That an environment which is safe enough to admit your mistakes and in which one is really allowed to make them, is an environment in which a lot is learned and because of this better performances are achieved.
And what am I? More motivated than ever! I am now training for next year, next year I will be at the start of the full triathlon. And Jochem will be standing along the side-lines to cheer me on, for sure. Ah yes, and I will make it to the finish!
Update: Jochem has completed the Triathlon in 11:37:53, an awesome achievement! And instead of cheering me on from the side-line next year, he will probably be on the track with me. Teamwork!