Knowing the path and walking the path are not the same. Set philosophy, expectations, and process. Fortunate teams have player leadership with the strength and energy to drive the process.
Great teams make great culture, but great culture alone won't make a great team. Player-driven leadership forges identity (this is who we are) and performance (this is how we play).
True leaders show the humility to recognize their needs and to ask for help. They know that leadership needs followers and collaboration.
The military sets high culture standards with varied results. I told incoming freshmen at Annapolis to know 'five answers':
- "Yes, Sir."
- "No, Sir."
- "Aye, aye, Sir."
- "Right away, Sir."
- "I don't know but I'll find out, Sir."
- Leadership. The Commander is in charge. Leaders find out whether players are team-oriented.
- Growth mindset. Teammates see big things ahead.
- Communication. Everyone is on the same page.
- Ethos. Character is job one.
- Trust is high among and between coaches and players.
- Respect. Respect each other, the game, officials, and opponents.
- Toughness. Teams show physical and mental toughness.
What destroys team culture? Complacency. Never take culture for granted.
- Selfishness. Some players put the scorebook ahead of scoreboard.
- Role confusion. Hard to do the job without understanding it.
- Too many voices. Players have to hear leadership.
- Favoritism. Team members need fairness.
- Toxic teammates. Stop bullying, cliques, and drama.
Few teams with mediocre culture achieve high performance. Fight for your culture every day.
Culture sample violations:
- Players take situationally inappropriate shots looking to pad stats.
- Player ignores teammate feelings and impact over poor personal choices (e.g. substance abuse, friendships).
- Players disrespect the game and officials.
Lagniappe. Focus on your footwork, theory and practice. Remember to keep the ball out of the 'strike zone' where defender hands get strips.
Players can practice footwork at home, indoors without a ball.