Leadership and Culture

Leadership and team culture are two of my greatest passions. In my experience, the most effective leaders clearly define their leadership principles. When you have clear principles, those principles become the standard that the team follows. As the standards come to define the team’s behavioral expectations, you now have a “standard of performance.” The team’s standard of performance ultimately defines the teams culture. In my effort to become a great leader and culture builder, I have studied the likes of Michael Lombardi, Pat Riley and Bill Walsh among others, as these three men have inspired the leadership principles outlined below.

1) Clear Expectations – Team members must understand the expectations; this is paramount so that any confusion of expectation can be avoided. People will always perform at their best when the expectation is clear.

2) Empower Others – People are naturally more invested in an outcome when they are a part of the decision-making process. The best leaders don’t give people the answers, they teach them how to find the answers and how to ask the right questions.

3) Attention to Detail – A leader needs to present their plan with a focus on attention to detail. People have more confidence in a plan if they believe their leader has prepared them for anything.

4) Set the Example – Great leaders don’t just speak of expectations, they live them. They are the most selfless, the hardest workers, and the first to recognize others. As the saying goes, “preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.”

5) Self-Actualization – A major focus of the most effective team leaders is to help their team members reach their goals, both personally and professionally. People are motivated by a paycheck, but they are inspired by leaders who help them grow and believe they are capable of great work. Inspire self-belief.

6) Accept Responsibility – Jocko Willink often speaks about Extreme Ownership. Once you accept responsibility for all things, you go from being a victim of circumstance to a leader who can step back, evaluate and make the necessary adjustments that lead to future success.

7) Mirror and Window – The leaders with the most devoted team members are those that accept responsibility when things go awry, and who look outward to give the credit away in times of success.

8) Empathize and Refocus – When teams struggle or fail, great leaders empathize with them and then refocus the team on the present. Don’t let a disappointment beat you twice. The best leaders help their team move past disappointment and refocus on the goal.

9) Strategy/Be an Expert in Your Field – The most respected leaders are life-long learners, constantly seeking improvement. They approach each day with a beginner’s mindset and are students of their field. No one is staying the same, you are either getting better or worse.

While these principles encompass what makes up excellent leadership, it's paramount to note that character and self-discipline must be in place if you are to build a strong culture. One of the greatest culture builders of our time is the legendary Pat Riley. In 2010, Lebron James went to Riley asking that he fire Coach Erik Spoelstra and come back to coach the team again. Riley denied this request, choosing to stick with the young Spoelstra. This decision, in part, led to four NBA Finals appearances in a row and two World Championships. Today, Erik Spoelstra is widely considered one of the top coaches in the sport. Pat Riley demonstrated character in 2010 when he stood by Spoelstra, and he displays self-discipline every time he's in front of the media. Never nervous, never flustered, always calm and in control, Pat Riley exudes confidence. In doing so, he instills a high level of confidence in those he leads and embodies the culture he has built.

George