--- title: Your culture shouldn't come with training wheels. description: "Here's a secret: training wheels suck. See how to impact your company culture without them." image: https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Blog_Posts/herrera-kids-bikes.jpg --- [![PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PG%20Registered%20Logos/PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01.png?width=1966&height=1530&name=PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01.png "PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01")](https://www.populusgroup.com/en) - [Employers](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/workforce-solutions) - [Careers](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/job-seeker) - [Contractors](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/contractor-resources) - [Blog](https://blog.populusgroup.com) - [About](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/about) - [Impact](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/impact) - [Work With Us](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/contact) [The PG Blog](https://blog.populusgroup.com) Search Search this site on Google Search Google Subscribe ### Subscribe to Email Updates Select Category - [Industry (52)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/industry) - [Diversity (44)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/diversity) - [Climber Stories (31)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/climber-stories) - [Community (28)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/community) - [Foreign National Talent Management (26)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/foreign-national-talent-management) - [Compliance (25)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/compliance) - [Leadership (25)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/leadership) - [Staffing and Recruiting (24)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/staffing-and-recruiting) - [Contingent Workforce Trends (21)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/contingent-workforce-trends) - [Careers (16)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/careers) - [Military Veterans (15)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/military-veterans) - [Legislation (13)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/legislation) - [Independent Contractor Compliance (ICC) (12)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/independent-contractor-compliance-icc) - [Personal Development (12)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/personal-development) - [Professional Development (10)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/professional-development) - [Company Culture (9)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/company-culture) - [PG Celebrates (8)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/pg-celebrates) - [Managed Service Provider (MSP) (7)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/managed-service-provider-msp) - [Mental Health (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/mental-health) - [Pay It Forward (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/pay-it-forward) - [Payroll Services (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/payroll-services) - [Sustainability (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/sustainability) - [AI (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/ai) - [Contractor Experience (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/contractor-experience) Select Author - [Populus Group (70)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/populus-group) - [Bobby Herrera (34)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) - [Whitney Barton (25)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/whitney-barton) - [Samantha Heilman (15)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/samantha-heilman) - [Brandon Wischmeyer (14)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brandon-wischmeyer) - [Cynthia Waddell (10)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/cynthia-waddell) - [Ejay Oravecz (8)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/ejay-oravecz) - [Austin McCool (8)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/austin-mccool) - [Jen Pasquier (6)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jen-pasquier) - [Jackie McCool (6)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jackie-mccool) - [Brandon Byrd (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brandon-byrd) - [Tom Mehl (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/tom-mehl) - [Briana Walker and Kristine Baker (4)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/briana-walker-and-kristine) - [Sebastian Puravet (4)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/sebastian-puravet) - [Jaylynn Hogeboom (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jaylynn-hogeboom) - [Kathryn Crimmins (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/kathryn-crimmins) - [Danielle Hein (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/danielle-hein) - [Taniesha Thomas & Tiasha Holcomb (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/tanisha-thomas-tiasha-holcomb) - [Raul Ramos (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/raul-ramos) - [Donna Morris (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/donna-morris) - [DE&I Council (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/diversity-inclusion-council) - [Rosemarie Fontela (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/rosemarie-fontela) - [Brooke Stovall (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brooke-stovall) - [Eric Schmitz (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/eric-schmitz) - [Jessica Bitell (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jessica-bitell) - [Kyle Heilman (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/kyle-heilman) - [Mario L. Lambert II (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/mario-l-lambert-ii) - [Dr. Jenna Rowen (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/dr-jenna-rowen) - [Liz Waters (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/liz-waters) - [Maxwell Barry (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/maxwell-barry) - [Megan Mallie (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/megan-mallie) - [Taniesha Thomas (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/taniesha-thomas) - [Derek Kimmerle (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/derek-kimmerle) - [Shelby Gerschick (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/shelby-gerschick) - [Jennifer Stevens (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jennifer-stevens) - [Leah Koskinen (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/leah-koskinen) - [Alyse Nilson (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/alyse-nilson) - [Jen Colburn (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jen-colburn) - [Jim Mann (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jim-mann) - [Ejay Oravecz & Austin McCool (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/ejay-oravecz-austin-mccool) - [Joy Goberville (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/joy-goberville) - [Bismah Khan (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bismah-khan) - [Irene Lawrence (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/irene-lawrence) - [Ron Lippitt (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/ron-lippitt) - [Andrea Pulkkinen (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/andrea-pulkkinen) - [Ed Herrera (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/ed-herrera) - [Pride Alliance ERG (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/pride-alliance-erg) - [Joanna Esparza (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/joanna-esparza) - [Nicole Stevens-Delgado (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/nicole-stevens-delgado) - [Billy Alfonsi (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/billy-alfonsi) - [Brandon Bates (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brandon-bates) - [Judy Yang (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/judy-yang) - [Pamela Warchuck (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/pamela-warchuck) - [Rosemarie Fontela & Denis Kenny (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/rosemarie-fontela-denis-kenny) - [Brookie Clark (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brookie-clark) - [Darwin Morgan (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/darwin-morgan) - [Bunker Labs (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bunker-labs) - [Joy Bartolome (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/joy-bartolome) - [Josh Hauser (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/josh-hauser) - [Karen Philbrick (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/karen-philbrick) - [Helen Konrad (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/helen-konrad) - [Michelle Nyhart & Ejay Oravecz (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/michelle-nyhart-ejay-oravecz) - [The Cultures Connected ERG (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/cultures-connected-erg) - [Derrick Workman (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/derrick-workman) - [Frank DeCastro (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/frank-decastro) - [Tim Zeches (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/tim-zeches) - [Izabela Miklas (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/izabela-miklas) - [Justin Stewart (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/justin-stewart) - [Stephanie DeStefanis (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/stephanie-destefanis) - [Dominic Charleston (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/dominic-charleston) - [Cheryl Longo (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/cheryl-longo) - [Dorian Cast (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/dorian-cast) - [Sydnie Chy (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/sydnie-chy) - [Josh Schreck (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/josh-schreck) - [Jacob Houston (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jacob-houston) - [Jillian Seidl (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jillian-seidl) - [Matt King (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/matt-king) - [Marcella Cheng (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/marcella-cheng) - [David Kaggwa (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/david-kaggwa) - [Lance Schroder (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/lance-schroder) - [Stephanie Hill (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/stephanie-hill) - [Megan Anderson (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/megan-anderson) - [Michelle Fedorkiw (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/michelle-fedorkiw) - [Kimberly Mills (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/kimberly-mills) - [Denis Kenny (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/denis-kenny) - [Tim Wang (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/tim-wang) # Your culture shouldn't come with training wheels. [![Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Bobby%20Headshot.png)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/322350/PG_blog_images/pgblog-icon-linkedin.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/bobby-herrera/1/182/578) [by Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) Do you remember how much you wanted to learn to ride a bike as a kid?  When my oldest boy was three, we decided to buy him a “balance bike” -- a small bike with no pedals that he could push with his little legs. They’re big in Europe and started making a splash in the US a few years back.  My son desperately wanted to learn to ride a bike. Like you and I, he wants to do bigger and better things. He's all boy and rode that balance bike all over the place. I let him be as adventurous as he wanted and you can imagine how much I would beam when he’d pick up speed and push the limits. We did the same for our two younger kids and my wife and I beamed with just as much pride watching them learn to ride. ![herrera-kids-bikes.jpg](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Posts/herrera-kids-bikes.jpg?width=640&name=herrera-kids-bikes.jpg) When they each turned four we bought them a big kid bike, and I still remember their identical reactions when they first saw them. A look at me, a look at the bike, and then an expression that said, "Can I really do this?" Have you ever had that feeling? Sure, they were nervous, but they'd learned a valuable lesson on their balance bikes. It was literally one push and off to the races for all three! Their confidence grew with every pedal until I could see the same pride in their eyes that beamed in mine. So, what lesson did they learn? # Here's the secret: training wheels suck. I never thought our kids took to bike riding so easily because they were more athletic than any other kid. However, the experience did amplify for me the deep belief that we all just want a chance to shine. To do more by taking control of “our bike”. Communities with [a strong company culture](https://blog.populusgroup.com/how-can-leaders-better-assess-the-strength-of-their-culture) understand this valuable lesson about leadership and development. **Training wheels suck. All they do is stall real progress.** Give great people the autonomy to surprise you and let them be in control, not the bike. Isn’t that what we all want? # Train others by granting control, not by limiting it.  Watching my kids learn to ride without training wheels, I noticed: - When they would wipe out, which was often, they never blamed the bike. Training wheels allow us to misplace blame on the bike (what we can't control) instead of our balance (what we can control). - When they leaned too far to one side or the other, they immediately felt unbalanced. Training wheels take away that immediate feedback and in turn the opportunity to quickly correct our own behavior. - When they were ready for more, although scared, they had the confidence to try. Without training wheels, they learned to rely on themselves. Their self-confidence grew leaps and bounds because they were doing it on their own (with just a little help from mom and dad to get them started). I encourage you to go find a “balance bike” for someone you serve – they’ll surprise you. You’ll beam. *All Hail the Underdog.*   *Interested in joining our training wheel-free community? Check out our internal job opportunities or get in touch with our recruiters.* *[![Join Our Team](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/450029/3bb1fe77-b2fd-4977-9708-90d07f02ea3f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/450029/3bb1fe77-b2fd-4977-9708-90d07f02ea3f)* ## Leave a comment [![Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Bobby%20Headshot.png)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) Written by [Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) I believe everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed. I’m responsible for the overall direction of Populus Group. My job is simple; fiercely protect and enhance our company culture and make sure my team has everything they need to build trust with the great Climbers at PG and the customers that trust us to guide them. I’m grateful for the countless opportunities I've had to make mistakes and grow from them. I believe my responsibility is to pay that gift forward. Above all, Team One is my priority and my kids absolutely own me. I'm a proud Army Veteran, I love the mountains, and I’m blessed to live in Portland, OR. **Corporate Headquarters** Populus Group, Troy Headquarters 3001 West Big Beaver Road Suite 608 Troy, MI 48084 [248-712-7900](tel:248-712-7900) [opportunities@populusgroup.com](mailto:opportunities@populusgroup.com) **Employment Verification Requests\*** [248-928-0530](tel:248-928-0530) [voe@populusgroup.com](mailto:voe@populusgroup.com) [Employer Services](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/workforce-solutions)[Begin Your Job Search](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/job-seeker) ©2023 Populus Group [Privacy Policy](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/privacy-policy)[Terms & Conditions](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/terms-conditions)[Site Map](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/sitemap) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-fb%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://www.facebook.com/populusgroup) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-twitter%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://twitter.com/populusgroup) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-instagram%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://www.instagram.com/populusgroup/) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-li%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/70117/) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-glassdoor%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Populus-Group-EI_IE259242.11,24.htm) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-youtube%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=39)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-O9v1hz-Q4OW0Ze0b9O_sg) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-gplus%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://plus.google.com/u/0/102588349136181669410) ![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-top%20png.png?h=33&la=en&w=33)