🏆 5 Keys to Build a Winning Culture

🔗 LINKS OF THE WEEK

🎥 Video: Wooden on “How to be a Champion.”

🎙️ Podcast: Coach Collins and I discuss Dealing with Team Drama in this Basketball Leadership Podcast episode.

🆇 ICYMI: Lane Kiffin and the process.

💭 ONE THOUGHT
5 Ways to Build a Winning Culture

The number 1 job of a coach is to build their culture.

Every day.

I define culture as the following:

1. Culture is what we allow as coaches

2. Culture is what we emphasize as coaches

3. Culture is every day

As a coach, it is critical to remember that our culture never arrives. It is ongoing, and every decision or lack of decision we make will shape our culture.

All stakeholders in our team or program must understand how culture is shaped and formed over time.

Think of your culture as an aquarium that needs to be cleaned and updated daily. If it is not cleaned, it will get murky and dirty, and it will not be fun to clean up.

Keep your culture clean.

Here are 5 Keys to Build a Winning Culture in your program:

1. Establish Clear Core Values:

   • Define Core Values: Clearly define the core values that your team will live by, such as respect, hard work, integrity, and teamwork.

   • Communicate Regularly: Communicate these values consistently in meetings, practice, and games.

   • Lead by Example: Demonstrate these values in your actions as a coach to set the standard for your players.

2. Create Traditions and Rituals:

   • Pre-Game Rituals: Develop pre-game rituals or traditions that the team performs before every game to build unity and focus.

   • Team Celebrations: Celebrate wins, milestones, and achievements together to foster a sense of accomplishment and togetherness.

   • Regular Team Meetings: Hold team meetings to discuss progress, address issues, and reinforce the team’s goals and values.

3. Foster Open Communication:

   • Encourage Feedback: Create an environment where players feel comfortable giving and receiving feedback.

   • One-on-One Check-Ins: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with players to understand their concerns, goals, roles, and personal development needs.

   • Active Listening: Practice active listening to show players that their opinions and feelings are valued.

4. Build Relationships:

   • Team-Building Activities: Organize team-building activities outside of regular practice, such as team dinners, outings, or community service projects.

   • Peer Support: Encourage players to support and motivate each other, building a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect.

   • Recognize Contributions: Regularly acknowledge and appreciate individual and team contributions to reinforce positive behavior and effort.

5. Set Clear Expectations and Goals:

   • Define Roles: Clearly define each player’s role on the team and how they contribute to the overall success.

   • Goal Setting: Work with the team to set short-term and long-term goals that align with your core values and vision.

   • Accountability: Hold everyone accountable to these goals and expectations, ensuring everyone is working towards the same objectives.

Embrace these five keys to cultivate a winning culture within your team and program.

Always remember that culture never arrives. Your program is like an aquarium that must be cleaned and maintained daily. These five keys will help you shape the culture you want and need.

Good luck!

P.S. Are you looking for more on team culture? Check out my Culture Wins Bundle (both of my Culture Wins Books, my Culture Wins Mini-Course, and my Culture Wins Curriculum for a BIG discount.

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If you want to make a statement with your company merch, hit up Branded Bills.

📜 TWO QUOTES

𝐗 THREE POSTS FROM OTHERS

📚 BOOKS, COURSES, BUNDLES, & FREE RESOURCES

Bundles:

• The OS Bundle - Save $ when you get the Team Leader OS and Better Coach OS.

• Super Bundle - Bundle all four of my books and save $.

• Mega Bundle - The Team Leader OS and all my books, save $.

• Buy Two, Get One Free - My three most popular books.

• Culture Wins Book Bundle - Both books for a discount.

• ADs: Want site licenses for a school? Reply to this email for more.

Courses, Curriculum, and More:

• Team Leader OS - Develop your team leaders year after year.

• Better Coach OS - Masterclass course to be a better coach.

• Culture Wins Curriculum - Growing curriculum to use with a ‘Captain’s Council’ concept in your school.

• Pre-Season Playbook - 33 pages to prepare for your season.

• Off-Season Playbook - The season’s done, but the work is not.

Books:

• Culture Wins - 50 ways to build a winning culture.

• Culture Wins 2 - 50 MORE ways to build a winning culture.

• Coaching Gold - Winning insight and wisdom for coaches.

• Great Teams Better Leaders - Actionable ideas for coaches.

• Paperback books (AMAZON) - All of my books are on Amazon.

Free Resources:

• 300-Hour Club - Offseason program used by all sports.

• Pre-Season Perception Form - Great to use before the season begins.

• Motivation Playbook - 30 pages of my favorite messages.

• Coaching Wisdom - Wisdom gathered from over 300+ coaches.

• Team Handbook Template - A template for your handbook.

• Sports Parent Handbook - 20 commandments for sports parents.

• Team Leader Roadmap - Give team leaders a roadmap to lead.

• Great Teammate Rubric - What does a great teammate look like?

• 150 Coaching Acronyms - Gathered from my followers on X.

• 101 Coaching Phrases - Gathered from my followers on X.

• 100 Daily Doses of Culture - 100 phrases for coaches.

Find all FREE books and resources at gberge.gumroad.com.

👀 LOOKING FOR MORE?

1. Are you interested in Sponsoring an Issue? Reply to this email or click here: Sponsor Great Team Better Leaders.

2. Are you seeking a Culture or Leadership workshop for your team or school? Contact Greg for more information.

3. Are you interested in a 1:1 Coaching Call with Greg? Reply to this email to request more information.

Contact Me: Greg Berge, [email protected]