Week 21: Racing & Teamwork

And we are continuing to continue and keep on keeping on. There’s so much cool stuff happening right now that I’m just enjoying being in the process. This week felt like good progress across a bunch of different projects, which honestly makes me happy. There are a few things not going as planned, which is slowing other things down, but overall, I feel like I’m still able to work within my means and execute most of what needs to get done. There are challenges, but with support from the team, we’re navigating them. That momentum and knowing we’re almost at the halfway point of the placement is keeping me motivated.

Over the weekend, I finally saw F1. Not a brand-new release, but something I had been meaning to check out. I’m not a racing person, but I’d heard good things. Plus, Joseph Kosinski directed it, and his Tron: Legacy is one of my top-tier favourite movies. So I went in curious and ended up really liking it.

Even though it’s about racing, F1 is more about people. Yes, there’s a fair bit of track action, but it’s the team dynamics, the personal growth, and how people handle challenges that stand out. It’s an underdog story, sure, but also something deeper. Brad Pitt’s character isn’t just there to race; he’s there to help a struggling team mid-season, not necessarily as the hero, but as someone who’s been through it all before. What’s interesting is that he’s kind of failed before. He wasn’t always the best teammate. But now he’s stepping in as a kind of mentor, almost like a flawed Yoda, helping the younger driver and the team regroup.

What stuck with me was how his character made an impact not by being perfect, but by being present, calm, focused, and kind. He didn’t bark orders. He showed up, he went for runs on the track early in the morning, and slowly, one by one, more teammates joined. It wasn’t about being the fastest or flashiest, it was about building a culture. That kind of intangible stuff: trust, belief, shared purpose. All those things that make a good team great.

It got me thinking about how we show up for people. Especially when in work situations or collaborating with colleagues, we all have something to contribute. And when the space is right, when people feel their contributions matter, that’s when real progress happens. Everyone doesn’t need to do everything, but everyone needs to feel like they’re part of it. I love that. I try to live that.

There’s a moment in the film where a character says, “If the money doesn’t matter, what does?” And I’m still sitting with that question. Of course, money matters, up to a point. But when it’s not the driving force, what are we left with? For me, it’s impact. It’s trying to help people. It’s doing work that means something. I know that sounds idealistic, but it’s real for me. I think a lot about how to make a difference, even in small ways, every day.

Also, this is where big movies can sneak up on you. F1 might look like just a racing film on the surface, but it had me thinking about leadership, purpose, and personal legacy. So yeah, would recommend. Even if you don’t care about racing, I think it has something to say.

The Good, The Challenge, and What’s Next

The Good:
Movies. I got to see F1 (obviously) but also Jurassic World: Rebirth. Just a fun dinosaur flick with a couple of jump scares and tense moments. Sometimes you just need that.

The Challenge:
Still time. It’s always time. Balancing all the different projects, priorities, and expectations continues to be a challenge. I do feel like I’m contributing meaningfully, but I still wish there were a few more hours in the day.

What’s Next:
Animals! We’re launching a really cool biodiversity campaign that highlights some of the incredible wildlife here in Guyana. If you’re reading this around the time it goes live, you might already be seeing some fun animal content out in the world. I’m proud of this one—it pushed me in new ways, and I can’t wait to share more.