I recently returned from a six-day cycling trip through the Pyrenees, where I had the opportunity to climb some of the most iconic mountain passes featured in the Tour de France—Tourmalet, Hautacam, Port de Balès, Col de Peyresourde, and Pla d’Adet. These climbs are legendary, not just for their beauty, but for their difficulty. They test your endurance, your mindset, and your preparation.
As I pedaled up those steep, winding roads, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much this experience mirrors what it takes to succeed in business. Whether you're leading a sales team, launching a new initiative, or navigating a challenging quarter, the principles that helped me to do those climbs are the same ones that drive business success.
Here are six key takeaways that apply directly to the business world:
Before I even clipped into my pedals, I made sure I had the right bike, gear ratios, clothing, and nutrition. The wrong equipment would have made the climbs not just harder—but potentially impossible.
In business, your tools matter just as much. Whether it’s your CRM system, your sales enablement platform, or your data analytics tools, having the right resources in place is foundational. You can’t expect your team to perform at a high level if they’re working with outdated or inefficient tools.
Each day of the trip required careful planning—route selection, weather checks, elevation profiles, and rest stops. We didn’t just show up and ride; we mapped out every detail.
In business, planning is the difference between reacting and leading. Strategic planning allows you to anticipate challenges, allocate resources effectively, and align your team around shared goals. Just like on the bike, if you don’t know what’s coming, you’re likely to get caught off guard.
You don’t wake up one day and decide to climb the Tourmalet. It takes months of training—building endurance, strength, and mental toughness.
The same goes for your team. Training and development aren’t optional—they’re essential. Investing in your people’s growth ensures they’re ready to perform when the pressure is on. And just like cycling, consistent, incremental improvement leads to big gains over time.
Business is no different. Market conditions shift. Competitors evolve. Customer needs change. The best leaders prepare for multiple scenarios and build contingency plans. Flexibility and foresight are key to staying ahead.
There were moments on those climbs when my legs were screaming and my lungs were burning. The only thing that kept me going was my mindset. I reminded myself why I was there, what I had trained for, and how far I’d come.
In business, mindset separates the good from the great. A growth mindset, a belief in your mission, and the resilience to push through challenges—these are the traits that drive long-term success. When the climb gets steep, your mindset is your most powerful tool.
I wasn’t alone on this trip. I had a coach, fellow riders, and support team who offered guidance, feedback, and encouragement. Their support made a huge difference.
In your organization, coaching isn’t just about correcting mistakes—it’s about unlocking potential. Great leaders coach with empathy, provide actionable feedback, and celebrate progress. Encouragement fuels motivation, and motivation fuels performance.
Cycling through the Pyrenees was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. It reminded me that success—whether on a mountain, in business, or in a boardroom—is never accidental. It’s the result of preparation, mindset, support, and execution.
So, the next time you’re facing a big challenge in your business, think like a cyclist. Gear up, plan ahead, train hard, stay flexible, believe in yourself, and surround yourself with people who lift you up.
Because every mountain—no matter how steep—is climbable with the right approach.