Culture isn’t just one thing. It’s everything.

The most important job of a leader is to create the culture of their team and organization. 

But where and how do you start when you are a new leader of a team and organization.

You begin by understanding what culture actually is. 

Everyone talks about culture but most aren’t sure how to define it.

Here’s my definition: Culture is the living breathing essence of what a team/organization values, believes, thinks, says and does.

The key word here is essence. 

As a leader your culture is defined by you and it’s created by the essence of you and your people. 

So when Mike Smith, Sean McVay, Kevin O’Connell, Liam Coen and Mike Macdonald all got hired as head coaches in the NFL I sat down with them and asked a few simple questions that helped me help them create their culture. 

First, I asked them what do you stand for? What matters most to you? Who are you? Tell me about the essence of you? 

I told them that their culture must be a reflection and expression of their authentic essence of who they are. When you are real and authentic and your culture is a natural expression of who you are, and you live and breathe your core values, it will become powerful.

Unfortunately, too many leaders and organizations create cultures based on buzz words not essence. They create a culture of what they think sounds good and what people want rather than who they are so there’s no alignment, no authenticity, no essence and no power. 

The next step is to identify the core values of the team and organization. And that’s why I asked these coaches if they could choose guys to be on their team right now what characteristics would they look for in their players. 

I explained to them that the characteristics they want in their players are actually their core values.

It’s a simple culture hack. You want people on your team and organization that fit your culture. So when starting a new culture ask yourself who would be a fit and this will tell you the kind of culture you want to create, the values that drive it and the essence that permeates it. 

It also makes hiring the right people much easier because you’ve already identified what core values and characteristics you are looking for. Your culture and the people who are a culture fit become one in the same. 

Sean McVay told me he’s all about We not Me and is looking for “We” Guys.

Liam Coen wanted Committed guys who Love football and bring Energy and who are Authentic, Tough and Smart. CLEATS

Mike MacDonald and I talked about unity and oneness and he came up with 12 as 1 and it’s been incredible to watch that mentality and culture play out this year. 

If you are wondering if this works beyond sports, the answer is yes. I’ve done this same Culture Hack with the CEO’s I coach and it works amazingly. 

It even works to examine your current core values and see if they should be replaced. Ask which characteristics you are looking for in your employees and what is your authentic essence and see if your current core values align. If not, it’s more than appropriate to change them. 

These days everyone talks about creating their culture. But it’s not enough just to create any culture. You must create a powerful culture that becomes stronger than all the forces trying to sabotage it. When you start with essence and core values you are on the right path to creating a great culture. 

Lead Positive,
Jon 

P.S. If you want to learn more about creating a great culture read The Power of Positive Leadership. 

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