Peloton Workouts and Leadership Lessons
Fundamental teachings are found in the most unexpected situations.
All it takes is something small to change your perspective. It could be an article you read online, a conversation with a stranger, or even something your child says. I’m sure I’ll write a book about all the things I’ve learned from these chance encounters one day.
Recently, I had a leadership lesson while riding the Peloton that stopped me in my tracks. For those who are unfamiliar, Peloton is an indoor cycling bike that provides live and on-demand recorded sessions from the comfort of your home. Although I have been a long-time owner of a Peloton, it was on this day specifically when the learning hit me like a ton of bricks!
But getting back on track, I learned a leadership lesson from last week’s class with one of Peloton’s most popular instructors, Matt Wilpers. If you take Matts’s classes, you know that he is always pushing for high output and his classes are always full. What you may not know is that he also produces more output by making small changes to your form.
Matt explained how easy it is to get a power boost on your bike by simply adjusting your posture, specifically shifting your hips just a few inches forward on the saddle.
After Matt’s suggestion, I moved my hips slightly forward and could see an improvement in the power output. It didn’t feel natural at first, but I trusted Matt and stayed in the new position.
A few minutes in, I got into a good rhythm. The pain had faded away and I was able to go harder without feeling like I was pushing any extra. When the class ended, I felt accomplished and proud of what I’d done.
Top Leadership lessons that are important for all of us to remember
1)You don’t need to be comfortable to achieve success. In fact, it is often when you’re not in your comfort zone that you learn the most and progress the furthest.
2) The best leaders usually take small actions which end up having a big impact.
3) Trusting yourself and others is crucial. When your team trusts you, they will work more cooperatively with you.
This leadership lesson can be applied in many different ways: trust your instincts, don’t take the easy way out, and push yourself outside of your comfort zone.
I realized then that this is often how leaders behave. We are constantly given the opportunity to make small changes that could have a big impact, but we sometimes hold back because we’re second-guessing ourselves or thinking it might not be the “right” decision.
Lately, I’ve been focusing on my leadership development and it’s made me realize how crucial it is for leaders to never stop learning. If we want to be successful, we have to be open to failure and constantly look for opportunities. Growth comes from trying new things, even if they might not work out perfectly.
Rinse and Repeat
I will remember this the next time I use my Peloton – and in every other area of my life. Where have you learned leadership lessons from surprising places? Share your ideas with me, I would love to hear them.
In many cases, it is worth making small changes. For example, altering your leadership style with your team could have a considerable impact on both them and the company as a whole.
Peloton has made a name for itself as a rapidly expanding and enthusiastic group. I enjoy it. The challenge, intensity, and sense of belongingness are all things that I like about the activity. What I’ve learned is how some of the teachings may be applied to the corporate world.
Some people will tell you that it’s best to focus on one area of your life and put all your effort into improving it. Others may suggest taking a more balanced approach, working on numerous areas simultaneously. And still, others would encourage you to set aside time for creative endeavors like writing fiction.
Leaders have the unique opportunity to guide a company through change, but this can only happen if team members are willing to push themselves outside of their comfort zones. By doing so, they may just surprise themselves with what they’re capable of.
Turning up
Being present is crucial to success in work and life. We must make an effort for the people we work with as well as our friends and family, but (often neglected) also for ourselves.
Be Here/ Now
Being present, physically and emotionally, is what it takes to be dedicated to your job. It’s not only about being in the right place at the right time but also about being honest and engaged with your work.
Sweat Equity
A company’s culture is like a new lawn; it always requires dedication and effort to maintain. If you’re blessed with the ability to work hard, think intelligently, and get things done, your company will eventually develop a strong culture that lasts. “Hustle is a gift that never stops giving.”
Get rid of the word “can’t.”
Get rid of the word “can’t” from your vocabulary and keep yourself focused on your goals regardless of how long or challenging the journey may look. Confidence is contagious, so leaders at all levels must show purpose.
A higher goal is almost always a good idea
This reminds me of one of my favorite phrases from the Peloton universe: “remember this effort.” I do what I do because I want to be a part of the family and help drive this truly historic shift forward. And I want to create an atmosphere in which people can perform their finest work
Conclusion
The journey to becoming an exceptional leader is continuous and similar to working out with Peloton, it requires immense effort. Recall a time when you were motivated or coached by someone other than your manager – what are some of your favorite leadership examples? Where was the most random place that you ever received motivation or coaching from? I eagerly look forward to reading your responses and publishing more Peloton-inspired leadership lessons in the future.
Don’t forget to bookmark this page and site for future reference, certain features, and similar content Peloton offers can help you with your leadership journey. As always, be sure to comment down below if you have any questions or suggestions. Best of luck!
