
Many organisations have star employees, and larger than life, powerful characters heading up the whole businesses, key teams and divisions. These characters dominate and provide success, as well as generating a positive buzz around their area of the organisation.
Yet what happens in the background? In some organisations we find that there’s very little supporting the individual, they may be carrying large responsibilities and targets without a team ready to take their share. In others we find a group of incredibly talented, dedicated individuals who make things work in the background, allowing one charismatic individual to take a leadership position in the ‘public’ eye, whilst each taking leadership responsibilities in their own area of expertise.
In Significant Other, the story of Victor Hugo Pena highlights the unique position of domestique in the invincible 2003 USPS cycling team. In order for Lance Armstrong to win the Tour, eight of the most highly skilled, fittest professional sports people in the world must put their own ambition to one side and do everything they can to hand him that victory.
This isn’t about choosing a team of also-rans to make up the numbers, each domestique will be expected to fulfill specific roles, from the mundane to the more visible such as chasing down rivals, leading out sprints or pacing a team leader up a tough climb. The less glamourous end of the business sees them fetching water or standing by the roadside after having handed their bike to a team leader after a crash.

It’s worth thinking about whether leadership in your organisation is about one individual pulling people along, or whether through taking a leadership role of their own, followers are creating the conditions necessary for success.
Whilst cycling purists may prefer to have read the thoughts of José Luis Rubiera during the 2003 tour, this book may just start you thinking about your star performers and quiet leaders.