If there’s a quote that can scream TEAM, this one would be it for me.
I always chose collaboration over competition for several reasons. I think the best way to illustrate that is analysing it through some other great quotes that deeply resonate with me
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" Helen Keller
I find that a job like mine can feel a bit lonely sometimes. I am my own boss, my own assistant, the accountant guy, the tech guy, etc. Having a group of business owners to turn to when I need advice, a different point of view or simply vent about the low points, makes me feel like I'm not alone.
"The best teamwork comes from men (and women) who are working independently toward one goal in unison" James Cash Penney
This is exactly what the Body Beyond Baby Affiliate team is. We are on a mission to make a difference in the fitness industry through building stronger Mums from the inside out.
"Teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability" Patrick Lencioni
One thing I've learned about collaboration is that you need to allow yourself to be seen. You need to show who you truly are. You need to acknowledge that here's no possible way to move forward if you are not open to being vulnerable. I trust everyone in my team. I trust them with my fears, frustrations, my bad days and weeks, not ever having to worry about being judged.
"Find a group of people who challenge you and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life" Amy Poehler.
This one definitely ticks all the boxes when it comes to both personal and business development aspects of our team. Every call, every Master class of our upskilling program, every catch up with other affiliate becomes an enlightening moment. I'm constantly learning from them and finding more and more inspiration to keep growing.
"If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up" Booker T. Washington
Celebrating someone else's win as they were your own is a skill that requires generosity and that's what we do every week. We take our win for the week and celebrate everyone else’s too. We are the chick who fixes other chick's crown without telling the world it was crooked. And it feels amazing! Both having their back and knowing they have mine.
Choosing collaboration over competition is a no-brainer. When you are open to collaborating instead of competing, everybody benefits from it!
In my case, collaborating means I choose to refer a Mum to another specialised trainer if I cannot train her instead of letting her go to someone not qualified. It means I surround myself with professionals like women's health physios to work closely with and help them provide more support for our Mums.
This is what Joelene Murdoch, Director of The Physiotherapy Clinic has to say about collaboration: "A woman's body deserves a team of specialists paying it attention! Particularly during pregnancy and after childbirth, a team of Fitness professionals and Physiotherapists will help you return to exercise safely and rebuild your body from the inside out".
I cannot think about doing my job properly without the aid of our women's health physios. They provide invaluable information and education to both the Mums and myself.
My vision is to build the village our Mums need to raise their children. And for that, I need help: from other Mums, from health professionals like obstetricians, women's health physios, nurses and midwives, nutritionists, psychologists, doulas and from other specialised trainers.
Collaboration over competition makes room for vulnerability, creativity, and real relationships.
In other words: collaboration over competition wins every time.
