The Domestique

I’m an athlete. Far from a professional one, but an athlete nonetheless. I love sports, everything about them. Especially the intricacies of the team dynamic. 

As I went for a run this afternoon, I was thinking about this topic: what it means to be on a member of a team dedicated to the success of the group rather than the self. As my thoughts drifted from personal experiences as a team member - many successes and many more defeats – a road cyclist pedaled towards me headed south as I headed north. The domestique! I thought. Aside from being quite possibly the coolest word ever, the domestique is also the most altruistic aspect of any sport I have ever encountered. In all my years of team participation and athletic endeavors, I have yet to find a category worthy of such selfless admiration.

I’m no expert in road cycling, but I’ve followed my share of Tours and Lance triumphs so I think I have the basic concept down of the noble domestique. Road cycling is a team sport. The domestique is a designated position on the team whose sole purpose is to support the team leader in any capacity necessary. And I mean any capacity.

The team leader is tired? The domestique literally presses him on by placing his hand on the leader’s back giving him a subtle but meaningful boost. The leader needs a slipstream to ride in for a while? The domestique is there to provide the break in wind resistance. The team needs to tire out the field? The domestique will sprint at strategic times forcing the field to give chase.

The domestique begins a race knowing there is virtually no chance he/she will be sharing the winner’s podium with his leader at the end of it. And unfortunately, the spotlight rarely features the sacrifices of the domestique. He knows his place on the team and gives everything in support. Altruistically. Selflessly.

I salute all you domestiques out there, in cycling, other sports, business, and life. Leaders would be nothing without you.

Tags: leadership, sports