Team Culture

 

I have been spending time this week reviewing my notes from the WBCA/NACWAA Whiteboard session we hosted at the Unviersity of North Texas and I wanted to share some great points and ideas that LeTourneau University Head Coach Leslie Reinecker shared with the group about culture.


Culture is a pattern of shared assumptions invented, discovered, or developed by a group as it learns to cope with its problems by external adaption and internal integration.

Cultures form out of common ideas/beliefs.

Developing culture is intentional and continuous.

Championship Cultures have great respect among team members and they take pride in fulfilling team roles.

Help players develop their Why. Coaches do not be afraid to share your story and Why.
Young players usually have not greatly developed their why/story yet. Help them shape theirs.

Inspire players to work.  This will help determine long term success.

Leaders must live/participate in the core values consistently.

Constructive feedback is the only kind that helps the team. All other types just tear down the culture.

Players are always more sensitive to criticism than to compliments.  You give them 10 compliments but they always remember the 1 criticism.  Be aware because your less mature players will turn that into a reason "why you don't like them." Don't let this become a trust killer.

Team Culture is about building relationship and trust.

Know that incoming players are products of previous cultures. Change takes time and consistently.

Players are always watching you.

YOU MUST WIN THE LOCKER ROOM BEFORE YOU CAN CONSISTENTLY WIN ON THE COURT.

You will see your team's true culture when things go badly.

There is no magic time frame when creating a successful team culture but generally it takes a minimum of 3 years.

Leaders it is your responsibility to shape and model the program you want.  You get what you tolerate.

"The maintenance of a culture is ongoing process that require regular effort. The effort is worthwhile, though, particularly when you take into account just how much culture dictates behavior, focus, ethic, and results. Culture is a powerful component of every organization, and to a certain extent it take on a life of its own." Joe Frontiera and Daniel Leidl in Team Turnarounds

Most coaches want to focus on changing something physical rather than mental because it is easier. Working the mental side is more work, but gives better results.

You have to have a strategy but it is the culture that determines whether or not that strategy will be successful.

Time spent on X's and O's is very important but wins or losses are based on aspects of the team's culture.  The team's attention to detail, effort, players' ability to execute together. During times of high pressure players will fall back on their habits.