During the last few years of a global pandemic, one of the biggest leadership challenges was to find a way to effectively lead teams in a new era of remote work.

Why is teamwork so important? Because the best of the best never have a goal they can accomplish alone. The best of the best realize that they need to build a world-class team around them to get to those crazy, challenging finish lines, especially in times of change.

When most people think of teams, they think of a group of individuals moving together toward a common goal. But a “We Thinking” leader inspires their team to not just walk forward side by side—but to literally and figuratively carry one another when a teammate needs it.

For the past 15 years, my Adventure Racing teammates and I have learned the “hard way” about what it takes to get through any difficult endeavor.

Part 1 & Total Commitment: My teammates and I have been competing in (and winning) the world’s craziest ultra endurance multi sport Adventure Races for the past 20 years.