Carry Less. Share More.
This photo was taken on a group ride with my local cycling club earlier this week.
What you can’t see from this image is the hiss of air from my tyre, the sticky mess of sealant, or the moment I realised I didn’t have the tools I needed to fix it.
The tyre was holding some sealant - enough to stop it going flat immediately, but not enough to keep us rolling for long.
I was stuck.
I’d like to tell you I calmly resolved the issue on my own - tools out, tube swapped, back on the bike in minutes.
But that’s not what happened.
The reality?
My mates stepped in.
One passed me the missing tools.
Another helped get the tyre off (which wasn’t easy with the sealant inside).
Someone else held my bike steady.
And together - quietly, without fuss - we fixed the problem.
Not just so I could get home.
So we all could.
That’s what made me think.
The Myth of Independence
I work with a lot of high-performing leaders.
And one of the things I hear most often - sometimes with pride, sometimes with quiet fatigue - is:
“I just carry it all.”
The decisions.
The pressure.
The team.
The politics.
The expectations.
Often, that’s what leadership has felt like — carrying.
Quietly. Competently. Relentlessly.
But here’s the thing about carrying it all alone:
Eventually, something punctures.
The Truth About High-Performing Teams
We talk a lot in leadership development about trust, clarity, accountability, alignment.
But we don’t talk enough about interdependence.
The kind of team that steps in when one person hits a snag - not to take over, but to share the moment.
Because in high-performing teams:
Help is offered before it’s asked for
Vulnerability isn’t a weakness - it’s how progress happens faster
People know that performance isn’t always linear, and that’s okay
And maybe most importantly:
The goal isn’t to look impressive.
It’s to keep moving - together.
Carry Less. Share More.
There’s something about cycling that’s deeply metaphorical.
Everyone’s got their own pace, but no one wants to ride alone for too long.
Headwinds are easier when you rotate.
And sometimes, it’s not your strength or speed that matters - it’s your willingness to stop and lend a tyre lever.
Leadership is no different.
Whether you’re building a team, coaching one, or trying to shift the culture around you - don’t underestimate the power of stepping in.
Even (especially) when someone doesn’t ask.
We all hit a puncture now and then.
The question is: what kind of team are you riding with?
📩 If you’re building a leadership team and want to create more trust, interdependence, and shared momentum - let’s talk.
Contact me to learn more about how I support leadership development that goes beyond individual heroics.
