Culture is NOT an Overnight Success

Feb 24

Whenever I talk to a recruit—whether on the phone or in person—I always get this question:

“What is your team’s culture like?”

I have a love-hate relationship with this question.

I love it because culture is our #1 priority, even above talent and skill. I love talking about our team’s culture, sharing what makes us unique, and expressing how proud I am of the environment we’ve built.

But here’s why I “hate” this question—when I ask recruits what they mean by culture, most respond with something like:

"I just want to be on a team where everyone supports each other, gets along, and is good friends."

There’s nothing wrong with that answer—it’s a great goal! But the challenge is that most players don’t understand how great culture is actually created.

So, I usually start my response like this:

"Well, on one of the first days of preseason, we track down a wild pig, sacrifice it, cook a feast, and eat together as a team. Then we sit around a roaring fire, holding hands, chanting phrases that will forever bond us. We laugh, we cry, and in that moment, we become one. THAT is how we build team culture."

And just before the terror fully sets in, I laugh and say, "I’m kidding." Then I ask,

"Do you really think team culture happens in a single night? That everything will just click, and we’ll always get along without any conflict?"

They laugh and say, "Well, no."

And I say, "Yeah, me neither. Culture doesn’t happen overnight."

Culture IS:

Culture is everyday behaviors
Culture is setting expectations
Culture is accountability to expectations
Culture is a sum of all your daily actions
Culture is valuing human beings
Culture is consistency

A Great Culture that Values its people IS the outcome of these daily behaviors, expectations, accountability, and actions.

If you’re wondering how to go about coming up with your Culture and Values, download my pdf on Establishing your Culture and Values, and reach out if you have any questions!

https://www.firstteammateleadership.com/resources/p/establish-your-culture-and-values