This article was written when Visma was co-sponsor of Team Jumbo-Visma. Today, Visma is first title sponsor of Team Visma | Lease a Bike.
Team Jumbo-Visma riders are known for their dominance on the road, but they don’t just pedal towards the finish line. Each rider is constantly and meticulously building on their unique strengths and talents – not just for their own personal gain, but for the success of the team.
Leading by example: How Team Jumbo-Visma sets goals
We sat down with several riders of Team Jumbo-Visma to talk about their team’s goal-setting strategy. Take a minute to watch this video. In it, you’ll hear how the riders work with staff to set goals and why their personal goals and team goals are so closely intertwined.
As you just heard, no single rider can fill every need or position on the team. That’s why everyone sets clear, specific personal goals together with the team, that are aligned with the team goal. Their formula for success is a testament to the age-old adage, “Teamwork makes the dream work”. We see that this formula can be applied in a business setting, as well.
Building teams that are poised for success
Goal setting isn’t just for athletes or elite sports teams. Businesses can harness the power of personal and team goals, as well. The key is to include employees in the entire process so they understand not just what they need to do but why it’s important to the larger vision.
Too often, we get bogged down in the daily grind. Our days are marked by to-do lists, and the horizon is dotted with project deadlines. Taking a step back to set new goals, realign with our team, and refresh our perspective of the company’s vision can do wonders for boosting morale. It can also deepen the roots of teamwork.
Personal ownership
When employees feel a deep sense of ownership and purpose over their work and career, they’re much more likely to perform their best. When they see how their efforts directly impact their team’s success, they’re more motivated to help their teammates win, as well. The key is to help them set personal goals based on their strengths and aspirations, and empower them to really own their role on the team.
Open lines of communication
Teamwork is all about good communication. Whether you’re a team of two or twenty, it’s so important that everyone’s voice is heard and respected. A good place to start is to have an open-forum conversation about larger team goals before they’re set in stone. This gives people a chance to ask questions, makes sure they understand how their goals fit within the team, and prevents unwelcome surprises or misunderstandings down the road.
A shared vision
Have you ever worked on a project for weeks only to find out it needs to be scrapped because it doesn’t align with the company’s vision? Wasted effort can be a huge productivity killer – and a huge blow to morale. By making it a point to align your team with the company’s big-picture goals, you get everyone to buy into a shared vision. This is one of the cornerstones of Team Jumbo-Visma’s success: everyone shares the same dream and everything they do, individually and collectively, is in service of that dream.
Overcoming obstacles together
Of course, there’s no way to plan for or predict every obstacle. The business world is as dynamic as the cycling world. Sometimes, teams have to adjust and goals have to change. The key is to rely on all the principles we just discussed – personal ownership, good communication, and shared vision – in order to move quickly and adapt accordingly. When done correctly, goal setting can be the ultimate team-building activity and will set your team up to handle anything that comes your way.
Final thoughts
The parallels between Team Jumbo-Visma’s approach to winning races and the path to business success are undeniable. But, it’s not just about meeting specific targets or achieving pre-defined milestones. It’s so much more than that. It’s about the magic that happens when people come together and use their strengths and passions for the greater good of a team – be it in cycling or in business.
Learn how we help support Team Jumbo-Visma’s goals, both on and off the track.
