I am busy with my work commitments and researching a book. As part of my research for the project, I have spent time reading about topics outside my comfort zone. One of the topics is an understanding of Lance Armstrong and his doping scandals. While doing this research, I discovered the deep wells of endurance and dedication it takes to be a professional cyclist. Each cyclist has masochistically embraced pain and suffering.
Reed Albergotti and Vanessa O'Connell described three-time Tour de France champion Greg LeMond book in their book "Wheelmen,"
"He'd hit 5,000 feet, and the air would get thin. He'd feel light-headed. He'd breathe hard. So hard he couldn't think anymore – couldn't feel anything. And LeMond liked it that way. He was happiest when he was suffering when he was in total pain."
LeMond was an abused child, and he would get on his bicycle and ride. The physical pain and adrenaline were his escape mechanism.
What many people consider masochism was a typical day's effort for a professional cyclist. With little fanfare and attention riding, six, eight, ten hours a day, the rider would climb steep mountain trails at altitude and pursue a constant diet and exercise routine. The routine of suffering had few guarantees because everyone else we doing the same things to remain competitive.
After a call with my development team in India, it occurred to me that the life of a technology professional is similar to a professional cyclist. Most people do not see the hard work and attention to detail software developers and quality assurance professionals put into their work. The hours spent tweaking algorithms, troubleshooting bugs, and tuning database tables are invisible to the software users. It is a grind, and it resembles the suffering of professional cyclists.
As the coach and leader of your team, it is your job to put that suffering and grind into perspective. Measure things like defects, lead time, number of stories getting done per sprint. Spot trends and point out improvements. Show your team that the hard work is paying off. Finally, expose the team to the people using the software. It will allow the people doing the work to see how all the effort is paying off.
The emotional labor it takes to lead a software team is challenging, but if you put in the effort, there is a big chance that it will pay off with a victory lap or two when you complete the project. I hope all of my readers have a fabulous Christmas holiday, and I look forward to more adventures in 2022.
Until next time.
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