Monika Sattler
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13 Oct

What a cycling record taught me about leadership

Posted 13. October 2021 By Monika Sattler

When I decided to set a cycling record riding as the first woman the Vuelta a Espana, 80% of the people told me it was impossible. Not only the physical aspect of riding 3000km and 48000m elevation in 21 days but the whole logistical part of it as well: Finding sponsors, having a support vehicle, food, drinks, hotels, media coverage and the accreditation that I am actually allowed to that. I impossible couldn’t do it all myself. But where to get a team of volunteers that were as eager as me to put all the energy and passion into a project that might fail?

I discovered five crucial values that helped me to create a 10-person volunteer team that went above and beyond their tasks to make this project possible:

  1. Passion for the mission

The mission of the cycling record was not just about setting a record, it was about inspiring and empowering especially women to go for challenges and to try something outside their comfort zone. Every single person in my team felt identified with this mission, no matter what task they had. I was not looking for a media person, a driver, etc. I was looking for team member who wanted to help me create an impact. Everything else just followed.

  1. Be authentic and trust your team

I could have played the big girl that I can handle it all, a big project most people believed to be impossible. There were so many unknowns, so many things I have never done before.  Yes, I believed in the project and I was crazily passionate to be successful. But oh boy, there were moments of weakness and of doubts. But instead of pretending to have everything under control and to know it all, I made sure that my team knows how crucial each of them is and that I trust in their work.

  1. Strengths and creativity

People might have a formal training but there are always so many more capabilities in the person than just that particular training. Sometimes those are hobbies but more often than not, those are soft skills. And if the person can utilize their strengths beyond the typical tasks, then they feel empowered and even more motivated. The feeling of being able to contribute to something and to matter, is a key element for a happy and thriving team. But to know the strengths of each team member, the following point is as crucial.

  1. Genuine feedback

Understanding what each team member really thinks is crucial to be able to lead effectively. And that means to be genuine and open for feedback. In the first days of the Vuelta, I was way to controlling and stressed out. David, my right hand in this entire project, took me aside and gave me the necessary feedback to change my way of leading. Through his and other feedback I could improve as a leader but also help others so they can do their work better. It should be a two-way feedback loop instead of just top to bottom. But feedback is only valuable if it is heard and that action is taken accordingly.

  1. Appreciation

Working together 24/7 for 21 days, going through an entire emotional, logistical and physical rollercoaster, a whole lot of emotions emerged after the last stage in Madrid. Yes, I was incredibly happy but also sad because I knew that this was the conclusion of the team as the project has finished. Everyone was amazing. The spirit was high and without the team, this project never would have been successful. As an appreciation and celebration of this project, we had a dinner together and had so many stories to share during this time. What I mostly happy about was, that every single team member would love to join the next project if there was any. We shall see. 😉

There are many ways of leadership. For me, it means to be able to ignite the passion, strengths and motivations in others for a goal everyone believes in. And it does not matter how seemingly impossible it is because I truly believe that anything is possible if you are completely passionate and determined to achieve it.

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Today was a beautiful ride across the Glaubenbiele Today was a beautiful ride across the Glaubenbielenpass and Glaubenbergpass.
Both passes I will ride being well into the challenge.
Glaubenberg, I will ride on stage 20 with Rengg, Schüpferegg, Schallenberg and Fritzflue

Glaubenbiehlerpass, I will ride on Stage 21 with Brünig and Ächerlipass

Two tough days before heading to Valais for more tough days. 😅

This is going to be epic! 

#124spc
Meine Story, meine Mission und der Grund, warum ic Meine Story, meine Mission und der Grund, warum ich alle 124 Schweizer Pässe mit dem Velo fahre, jetzt in @tagesanzeiger @bernerzeitung.ch @derbund @baslerzeitung_baz 

Vielen Dank, Philipp für das super Gespräch! 

#124spc
“We have two lives, and the second begins when w “We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.”

- Confucius
Good morning Monday! ☀️ What a weekend! Film Good morning Monday! ☀️

What a weekend! Film shooting until 1am with scenes in the swimming pool, fitness studio, performance test and an interview. An intense but fun time. Now heading back to 🇨🇭 to continue the training. ⛰️🚴⛰️🚴⛰️

#weekend #124spc
My mission with the 124 Swiss Passes Challenge goe My mission with the 124 Swiss Passes Challenge goes beyond setting a cycling record. I aim to inspire others, especially women, to go outside their comfort zone and pursue big goals.

A documentary will be made about this challenge that will tell the full story. The first film shoot is this weekend. 

#inspire #beyourself #getoutsideyourcomfortzone #goforyourgoals #makethingshappen
So excited about having received today the road bi So excited about having received today the road bike I will tackle the 124 Swiss Passes Challenge with:
The @cervelo Caledonia. 🥳And with that, I finally can announce my new partnership with @sramroad which I am very excited about! 🎉🎉🎉

A huge thanks 🙏 to @cervelo and @sramroad for making this happen! I cant wait to ride this beauty up every @swisstopo pass in Switzerland! ⛰️🇨🇭⛰️🇨🇭⛰️

#cervelo
@zippspeed
#newbikeday
#zippwheels
#roadbike
Just be yourself and stay true to your values. ❤ Just be yourself and stay true to your values. ❤️

@myswitzerland @cervelo @polartecfabric @projects_martinakink @cyclingswitzerland @santini_cycling
Life is all about choices. Even if we do not choos Life is all about choices. Even if we do not choose, we choose. Oftentimes, we walk through life taking the path that is ahead of us seemingly right for us without consciously asking ourselves if that is actually the path we want to take. Down the road we all of a sudden find ourselves on a path we wonder how we got there and question its purpose. 

Being aware of our decisions (also not deciding is a decision) is key to understand WHAT we want and to make sure we stay on track.
Very nice ride up Grimselpass to Furkapass and bac Very nice ride up Grimselpass to Furkapass and back via Grimselpass today. I missed to charge my shifter battery so did the full ride with one gear. Luckily, you dont need more anyway. 😅

@cervelo #cyclingadventures #grimsel #furka #furkapass #cervelo #aspero
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