Respect is one of my core principles, and the famous photograph of Coppi and Bartali exchanging a water bottle during the 1949 Tour de France, one of the most iconic images in sports, captures its essence perfectly.

I’d seen that photo billions of times before, but it hit me differently this time. Two of the fiercest rivals in cycling history are in the middle of a brutal race, and one reaches out to help the other.

This time, this epic image resonates with my experience in supporting complex projects alongside cross-functional teams. The diversity of personalities, skills, and cultures can present a myriad of perspectives, making it challenging to pinpoint the best route to unlock business value.

INTRO

That image of Coppi and Bartali stopped me. It made me realise how powerful a simple act of respect can be—even in the most competitive environments.

It got me thinking about the business environment I live in—digital teams, fast-paced projects, constant pressure—and how, like Coppi and Bartali, we thrive not when we compete at all costs but when we support each other.

Coppi vs. Bartali: A Rivalry Forged in Respect

Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali were fierce rivals in the golden era of Italian cycling. Indeed, in the world of cycling in post-war Italy, it was painted in Coppi blue and Bartali red. They divided fans, headlines, and even households. Their battles on the road were legendary. They were fierce competitors, pushing each other to superhuman feats, often leaving spectators breathless. Coppi and Bartali were, on paper, opposites. The elegant modernist Coppi always looks for new ways to push the boundaries. Bartali, the steadfast traditionalist, is powered by faith and grit. Their head-to-head battles defined an era—each man desperate to outpace the other, each victory a statement.

But in 1949, the Tour de France demanded a different script. They put aside their rivalry and supported each other. A photo immortalised Bartali handing Coppi a water bottle—it wasn’t just about sportsmanship. One account tells of Bartali passing a bottle to a struggling Coppi; another flips the narrative. Regardless of the exact details, the enduring image is one of mutual support, a silent acknowledgement that a more profound bond existed even in battle. It was about respect.

Their interests were secondary to the collective goal of national triumph. They understood that they needed to function as a unified force built on an unspoken foundation of professional respect to achieve something truly monumental.

Italy triumphed. The world watched as their combined strengths—sharpened by competition and unlocked by respect—brought home the yellow jersey. It wasn’t just a win for the country; it was a win for the idea that respect transforms relationships and results.

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“Sometimes, the strongest move isn’t pushing ahead. It’s passing the bottle.”

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Respect: The Hidden Engine of Innovation

What does this story do with design sprints, agile development cycles, or the next big product launch? Everything.

In the digital world, it’s imperative to have diverse teams: designers, developers, product managers, marketers, and executives. Each role brings a unique perspective, a specialised skill set, and a particular way of seeing the project (and the world).

Like the legendary rivalry between Coppi and Bartali, everyone brings a unique set of “races” and specific goals. The challenge arises when teams are called upon to create real business value for the organisation, glueing together the variety of hard and soft skills, timelines, jargon, and agendas. Indeed, organisations ask cross-functional teams to innovate, tackle complex problems, and create real business value. This process exposes just the tip of the iceberg, as the diverse personalities define an extraordinarily intricate environment. Adopting a mindset similar to that of Coppi and Bartali in such a setting becomes essential for success.

Putting respect at the centre of the interaction framework will encourage talents to:

• Listen actively, not just to respond: Truly hear what the colleagues say, even if it challenges their assumptions.
• Appreciate diverse viewpoints: Understand that a different perspective can be the missing piece of the puzzle, leading to a truly breakthrough solution.
• Offer constructive feedback, not criticism. Frame the input so that it helps colleagues to grow and improve rather than diminish their efforts.
• Support each other, even when uncomfortable: Step in and help a struggling teammate, just as Bartali (or Coppi!) might have offered that water bottle.
• Trust in each other’s expertise: Recognise that everyone on the team brings valuable knowledge and experience.

When we foster an environment built on this kind of respect, something magical happens: we create psychological safety.

Psychological Safety: The Bedrock of Breakthroughs

According to the books, psychological safety is the confidence that one can speak up, share half-baked ideas, admit mistakes, and challenge the status quo without fear of humiliation, punishment, or negative repercussions. It’s the confidence that one’s voice will be heard and valued, even if it’s an unpopular opinion. And guess what? Respect is the bedrock of psychological safety.

Whenever respect is evangelised and adopted, the outcomes are:

• Ideas flourish: No idea is too silly to share, leading to more diverse and innovative solutions.
• Learning accelerates: Mistakes become growth opportunities, not sources of shame.
• Collaboration thrives: Teams work together seamlessly, leveraging each other’s strengths.
• Embrace Diverse Talents: Like Coppi and Bartali, the best results come when different strengths are respected and harnessed.
• Channel Competition Productively: Rivalry can elevate performance only when grounded in mutual respect.
• Create Psychological Safety: When teams feel safe, they innovate. Respect is the foundation of that safety.
• Aim for Shared Success: Personal victories matter, but team achievements unlock real, lasting value.
• Business value is unlocked: Truly innovative products and services emerge because teams are empowered to take risks and experiment.

The Call to Action: Ride Together

The Coppi and Bartali’s water bottle picture made me realize that I have areas to improve when it comes to evangelise respect in the workplace. I’ll be mindful of the examples set by Coppi and Bartali in my upcoming meetings, brainstorming sessions, or even during casual chats by the coffee machine. I’ll keep in mind that while individual talent is critical, true success springs from collaborating as a team fro the sake of the organisation’s success. Indeed, in today’s fast-paced world, where the stakes are high, respect can be the driver to unlock the cross-functional teams full potential.

Sometimes, the strongest move isn’t pushing ahead. It’s passing the bottle.