Lessons From The Track

At MPS, we continuously discuss the idea of “smarter” training. This is integral to everything we value as a company. Whether that’s working with our customers to find the right simulator paradigm, or within MPS to support the growth of our own employees, we believe the philosophy of smart training extends far beyond aviation.

This is one of the reasons we partnered with TalentEmpowerment in 2025. TalentEmpowerment is a social enterprise which helps organizations nurture, inspire, and futureproof their workforce. Through this partnership, MPS supports Olympic level athletes and musicians while also giving our employees access to the same principles that help elite performers excel, allowing for unique team training events. After all, talent makes a difference in organizations, elite sports, and the music world alike.

In early June, MPS had the opportunity to experience these principles firsthand during a TalentEmpowerment track and field team event. While few of us (let’s be honest, or none of us…) will ever compete for an Olympic medal, here’s what we took away from the lessons from the track:

• Comfort zones are usually expanded through discomfort
• Every role matters
• Communication is key
• We celebrate together

During our field day, we were led through a series of events by Wietske de Ruiter, talent manager at ClubTE, coach, and two-time Olympic Games participant (and medalist!), and Jeff Tesselaar, internationally renowned decathlete. We competed in the following 4 events: high jump, sprint, javelin and shotput.

Comfort Zones Are Usually Expanded Through Discomfort

Michael Phelps once noted that goals should never be easy. Instead they should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the time.

Although competitive banter and spirits were high at the start of the day’s activities, many of our employees had little experience with the events of track and field. Discomfort was certainly evident and our team was quickly humbled by the difficulty of the events. Many knocked the high jump bar to the ground and some of us never cleared it, even at its lowest level. We did not run world’s fastest sprint. Javelins didn’t make it far down the field. But at the same time, we all improved as we took the time to learn and try again, even when we were not comfortable. Some of us even discovered hidden strengths.

Innovation works the same way. At MPS, solving complex challenges requires exploring new technologies, questioning established methods and approaching problems from different perspectives. That willingness to learn and experiment has helped shape our products and our solutions, continuing to drive improvements in aviation training.

Growth only begins when we step outside of our comfort zones.

Every Role Matters

Track and field can often be misinterpreted as an individual sport. Especially in events where a singular person is working to achieve a goal, it is easy to forget that in fact, it is a team effort. However, success of a team depends on everyone performing at the highest level in their own roles. Individual scores account for individual success but in the grand scheme, this means nothing for the overall team score if not everyone puts their best foot forward.

The same is true at MPS. Our office building is full of knowledge, skill and expertise within a wide range of job roles. Executive management, test pilots, software developers, sales, customer support, HR professionals and many more all play different roles in our day to day operations. Every role is equally important in making sure we stay a well-oiled organization. Every contribution matters. Our team’s overall result depends not on one standout performance, but on everyone delivering the best they can.

Communication Is Key

It is no secret in the world of hiring that soft skills are just as important as hard skills. As someone who has hired many individuals over the span of my career, the way a candidate presents themselves in terms of communication has always been a major driver in my decision making.

The way someone not only speaks but also listens is important in a team setting. At MPS, we rely on strong communication for culture, leadership, conflict resolution and praise on a daily basis. Like our day on the field, before every action at the factory, we discuss strategy, allocate responsibilities, learn from previous attempts, adapt our approach and encourage each other.

We Celebrate Together

The most enjoyable aspect of the day was seeing my team encourage each other throughout every event. Setbacks became learning opportunities and victories were celebrated by all. Personal achievements contributed to shared success. This reflects the culture we strive to build at MPS.

Our success is measured not only by the simulators we deliver but also by the people behind them. Investing in employee development, supporting one another and creating opportunities to grow are all parts of building an organization capable of delivering exceptional outcomes for our customers.

The Result

It was never really about who could run the fastest mile or throw a shot farther (although our team is always up for a little friendly competition). Instead, we took back a lesson to the factory about how high performing teams operate. 

We must think outside of the box to innovate. Everyone brings a unique perspective and skillset to the table. We must share our knowledge to collaborate effectively and keep learning. And when one wins? We all win. And by the way, my team won 😊

As we continue expanding our horizons, experiences like this remind us that excellence is built through consistent effort and shared ambition. Whether on the track, in the office or inside an MPS flight simulator, success comes from people who are committed to learning, supporting one another and striving to become just a little better every day.

That is what training smarter is all about.