Lessons on the Tandem

I had not taken a tandem bike for a ride - until last weekend.  I tried it by myself first around the parking lot.  It was just like riding a big bike…think 15 passenger van compared to compact car.  But then I added my “stoker”, my fellow pedaler and wife.  Things got to be little more challenging.  We’ve ridden a lot together on our individual bikes – our last six anniversaries have been bike trips!  But now things changed on the tandem.

• I had to communicate when I was going to pause my pedaling because her cranks stopped too.
• I had to say when the bump was coming and not just know it or I ran the risk of losing my partner or hearing about it (“I need more notice, please”)
• I had to point out interesting things because her vision was limited to side to side.  An exponential side effect when the stoker is half the size of the pilot/captain.
• I had to listen to the needs of my partner because I could not see how things were going.

Leading others requires many of the same skills as riding a tandem bike.

• Communication is key.  We can forget sometimes how much our actions impact other around us.  Conversations we have, actions we take, and words we write can quickly change relationships and culture.
• Sharing knowledge can help shape behavior.  If I said “bump coming” and paused pedaling, my wife knew to pause and flex out of her seat to reduce the impact.  Likewise, if we know important information about a situation, a client, or a customer we give our team a better chance of success by sharing it with enough time to react.
• Looking ahead helps our teams prepare for the future. In a similar fashion, the peripheral views of our followers/partners of the surrounding environment are equally important and many times rewarding.  The view from a different perspective can help determine the path to the future.
• Listening can clarify what is seen or not seen.  From the front of the bike I couldn’t tell if my wife was wearing out or slowing down, if she needed a drink, or if she was in pain from sitting too long.  I had to listen for her to tell me and at times I had to ask.  Some of our teams may be afraid to ask questions or share a thought.  Leaders need to ask the right questions and then listen to hear important information.

Riding the tandem required a change – a change in thinking, communicating, and acting.  As we completed our 28 mile ride we decided it was pretty fun.  We could move at a faster pace and cover a greater distance with both of us pedaling together. My wife could look around more knowing someone was watching the future road.  We could talk better being just a couple feet apart.  We accomplished something new together and shared a unique experience.  But we would have missed out if we would have stopped after the first couple of miles because it was different or awkward at first.  We adjusted and both of us committed to a new adventure and saw it through…and will most likely seek out the bicycle built for two again.