The great teams all have one thing in common: not the number of trophies in the cabinet or the star players they have in their lineup.
It's their culture, and no matter whether they win or lose, they know who they are as individuals, but most importantly, they know who they are as a team.
Culture can best described as a way of life, an attitude, and behavior towards something. Throughout the years, I have been part of teams and sporting organizations where the culture set the tone, everyone worked toward a common goal, and the chemistry between members was in sync.
I have also been on the opposite end, where the culture was toxic, and being part of the team or sporting organization felt like a duty. There were clicks between members, poor leadership, and individuals who were more concerned about their accomplishments than those of the team or sports organization.
So, how does one build a culture that sets the tone for your team and sporting organization? Here are tips that could help you and your team or sporting organizations build a strong culture:
Form a Strong Identity
For all sports teams and organizations, it's essential to know who you are, what you represent, and what you stand for.
A set of values will help you establish a strong identity within your team and organization. Create an environment of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. Identify what is expected of every member during training and game day.
Click on the link below and listen to what has made the New Zealand All Blacks have long-term success
Strong Leadership
Having strong leadership is crucial to establishing a team culture. Leaders ensure that team members understand the mission, values, and purpose of the team. They help team members understand their roless and how their contribution helps the team succeed.
Leaders are seen as a pillar of strength and help team members stay the course during challenging times.
Empower Team Members
Allowing team members to apply the skills they have gained over the years will give them a sense of ownership and responsibility. Empowering team members can come in many forms, such as having them lead team drills or giving them the responsibility of reviewing game footage.
This will allow team members to feel they have an actual influence on the team's culture and success and lead them to have a deeper investment and buy-in into the team and organization.
Inclusion
When creating your team culture, it's essential to include everyone, not just the players but the support staff and community. Everyone needs to feel that they have a responsibility for the teams success.
As much as coaches and captains set the standards and expectations, it is also everyone's responsibility to spread the word and represent the values and morals of the team. A team or organization that demonstrates inclusion creates an environment where everyone can excel and form strong bonds and team chemistry.
Honesty and Communication
Sport is a high-pressure environment where honesty and communication are essential.
Encourage honest and open communication between all members of your team and organization. It's essential that everyone feels comfortable with sharing thoughts and ideas and doesn't take constructive feedback personally.
Regular team meetings or one-on-one conversations with team members can facilitate honesty and effective communication.
Below are two different clips of Springbok Coach Rassie having honest communication with the team during the World Cup.
Building a solid team culture does not happen overnight; everyone must be patient and work consistently towards the team's goals, values, and expectations sustained success.
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