Level Up Your Leadership: Why Surrounding Yourself with Greatness is Your Secret Weapon

As a Certified High Performance Coach specializing in leadership and executive development, I’m always talking about stretching yourself and aiming higher. But sometimes, the best way to elevate your game isn't just about individual effort; it’s about who you choose to ride with. And I mean that literally, as I recently learned!

I've been a pretty decent cyclist for a while, happy cruising along. My personal best for average speed was around 22 km/hr. Not bad, right? But I knew I had more in the tank. The catch? It’s tough to push yourself to new limits when you’re always the strongest rider in your group.

So, I decided to do something about it. I joined the Arnprior Cycling Club. Now, let me tell you, these folks are legit! I knew going in that many of them would have a significantly higher skill set than me. And yeah, there was that tiny voice in my head saying, "What if you're the slowest? What if you can't keep up?" The fear of being the "worst" can be a real barrier, especially when you're used to being at the top of your game in other areas.

But I pushed past that fear, and let me tell you, it paid off big time. This week, after just a short time riding with the Arnprior Cycling Club, I hit a new personal best: a blazing 25 km/hr average speed!

Think about that for a second. That's a 3 km/hr jump simply because I put myself in a position where I was surrounded by people who were better than me. Their skill, their pace, their sheer determination became my new standard. I had to rise to their level, and in doing so, I elevated my own.

This isn’t just about cycling, though. It’s a powerful metaphor for leadership, executive development, and any goal you have in life. If you want to achieve truly high performance, you've got to ask yourself:

• Who are you surrounding yourself with? Are they challenging you, inspiring you, and pushing you beyond your comfort zone?
• Are you willing to be the "student" sometimes? It takes courage to step into a situation where you might not be the most experienced or the most skilled, but that's where true growth happens.
• Are you actively seeking out opportunities to learn from those who are operating at a higher level than you?

As leaders, it's easy to get comfortable in our current circles. But if you want to reach that next level, if you want to break through your own perceived limitations, then it's time to intentionally seek out people who have a higher skill set than you. Embrace the discomfort, overcome the fear of being the "newbie" or the "slowest," and watch how quickly you accelerate your own performance.

So, go on, find your "Arnprior Cycling Club" in whatever area you're aiming to conquer. You might just surprise yourself with how fast you can go!