The Magic of Training Together
This is the seventh Saturday in a row, starting January 1, 2022, that 60 of us have arrived at The Training Lab (TTL) at 7:30am for a two and a half hour workout preparing for Hyrox NYC on March 3rd.
I’m probably the oldest and the slowest, and I’m so psyched to be training with this amazing group of athletes.
As an executive coach, I’m always curious how realizations in one part of my life may apply to my work. Here is what I was mulling over at the TTL workout this morning while I waited for the rower!
Why does TTL training for Hyrox feel so good?
We have a caring tough leader, Ruben Belliard, TTL owner. He inspires deeply and pushes us for greatest.
Our trainers, Daria, Johnnie, Kailey, and Gabby are topnotch. They can manage a large group single-handedly and secure deep respect from us.
We share a common goal, and everyone feels part of it – from the elite athletes to folks like me (er, more mature, slower, and not as strong). There is a place for everyone.
We have strong organization and process at these workouts. With 60 people in a small gym this is critical for seamlessly working together.
The camaraderie among the group is evident and that also motivates.
Lessons from TTL to replicate these “good feelings” at work…
Organizations need CEOs able to motivate their employees. That is their number one job. (I didn’t say they have to be charismatic….but that doesn’t hurt).
Managers need to know their domain, need training in HOW to manage. They need to be prepared. Companies can do a better job.
Organizations need goals that everyone can rally around and understand their role in bringing to reality. Everyone need to feel ownership of the results.
Companies need enough process and structure for people to do their work successfully. Each company culture has to determine the right amount of organization to reduce stress but not create drag.
Psychological safety builds camaraderie in the workplace, and is proven to improve team success, just ask Google.
I’m way out of my comfort zone participating in Hyrox and feel supported by this community of fitness fiends to succeed (in my case that means finish!). We can see more of this positive teamwork and camaraderie in the workplace if we draw more intentionally on the untapped lessons from the world of sports. TTL is a beautiful place to start this learning.