Why Great Leaders Think Like Cyclists: Managing Energy, Not Just Effort
Nov 13, 2025Most people wake up each day and start pedalling — often with only a vague idea of where they’re actually heading.
This summer, I had the rare privilege of standing in the paddock at the Tour de France, thanks to a client who sponsors the race.
As I walked past one of the team bikes, a small sticker on the handlebars caught my eye. It showed the entire route.
Every rider also wears an earpiece, uses GPS, and studies the course before they start. Each has their own strategy for how to use that information.
In cycling, direction and energy use are everything.
If a rider sees that a climb flattens out near the top, they might push deep into the red for the next kilometre, knowing they can recover on the plateau ahead.
Energy in. Energy out. Constantly managed. Constantly intentional.
What Organisations Often Miss
Few organisations operate this way.
Most corporate cultures demand constant output — emotionally, mentally, and physically — but rarely provide a clear map.
People are expected to give energy endlessly without knowing:
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Where to focus it
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When to recover
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Or when they’ve gone too far into the red
That’s why burnout feels inevitable. There’s no visible course, no shared pacing strategy, and no plan for recovery.
I’m currently working with a leader in the US who’s launching a new drug. For months, they’ll be on planes, crossing time zones, giving everything they have to make the launch succeed.
When they finally come home exhausted, there won’t be a directeur sportif in a following car saying, “You can ease off now.”
More likely, someone will ask, “Great launch. What’s next?”
Cycling understands performance in a way many organisations still don’t: not as doing more, but as managing energy strategically.
The Leadership Lesson
High-performing teams don’t just push harder — they manage smarter.
They:
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Know the route — the bigger vision and what success looks like
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Understand the demands — when to push, when to hold back
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Respect the recovery — because rest is what makes sustained performance possible
Without this awareness, leadership becomes a sprint with no finish line. And that’s when even the most capable people burn out.
The Challenge for Leaders
Maybe it’s time leadership teams got more serious about energy management.
If elite athletes rely on maps, pacing, and recovery to perform at their best…
Why wouldn’t we?
At Hooper Rees, we work with leaders and teams to build this same awareness — helping them manage energy with intention, strengthen resilience, and lead with emotional intelligence.
When you can see the route clearly, every pedal stroke has purpose.
Ready to Manage Energy, Not Just Effort?
Let’s talk about how your leadership team can build sustainable performance and emotional resilience.
π Contact Hooper Rees to start the conversation.