Why Culture Is Important To Success — In Business As Well As In Sports

Anyone who follows English football will be familiar with how often Premier League clubs change managers. In fact, eliminations are so common that many fans start betting almost from the start of each season on who will go first. However, Antonio Conte’s recent departure from Tottenham Hotspur remains remarkable. The Italian effectively removed himself by going on a lengthy rant after the London side came from behind from a 3-1 lead to draw at the league’s bottom club, Southampton. In his press conference after the match, he questioned the mentality of his players, calling them selfish, and also questioned the culture of the club.

Although few could have predicted that things would end so badly, football followers will not be surprised that Conte did not last long at the club. Many more have come and gone as the club endured a long wait for trophies. Conte has a further problem in that regard, although he has enjoyed success elsewhere, it has generally been with a more pragmatic style than is usually associated with swashbuckling Spurs.

While some may also take issue with stories of Conte’s gruesome training regime, the idea that having a group of talented players is not enough on its own to win things is undoubtedly true. with Matt Mayberry, author of Culture Is The Way. Briefly a player in the National Football League before injury cut short his career, Mayberry has carved out a second career for himself as a keynote speaker and consultant on leadership and culture development. In his new book, he quotes an article by The Athletic magazine about how some of the best coaches prioritize building a strong team culture and how important it is to a team’s success. He added: “No one knows what could happen if more business leaders had the same cultural vision as some of the best sports coaches. I just don’t believe we will build a many workplaces that will not struggle to attract top talent, but I also believe that we will see more companies that play an important role in making the world a better place and positively shape every aspect of life to their employees. .”

To support his argument he sets out “three key lessons” from great sports coaches that business leaders at all levels can use as they try to build cultures.

1. Develop a burning desire to improve culture. The best leaders put everything they have into building culture. “You’re not just interested in creating a good culture,” said Mayberry. “Committed leaders outperform ‘less’ interested leaders.”
2. Generate and carry positive energy every day. Leaders are responsible for creating energy and setting the tone for the rest of the organization on a daily basis. Emphasizing that there is nothing easy about it, he says that changing the mindsets, behaviors and attitudes of those who are led requires “a level of bold, positive energy.”
3. Don’t just manage people, teach your people. Great coaches do more than create the team’s vision or manage the team’s day-to-day operations. They work with individuals to get the best out of them. They can be difficult but only because they want the best for themselves and the team.

Mayberry goes on to describe how leaders create effective cultures. But his very important point is one he always emphasizes – that culture is not an add-on to be left to HR or set when the financials are fixed. It is especially important for that. He quotes legendary football coach Bill Walsh who put it best: “Culture is about positive results. It can’t be put as the end on your way to victory. Champions act like champions before they were champions. They had a winning performance pattern before they were winners.

That is something Tottenham Hotspur’s board will want to consider before they appoint a permanent replacement for Conte. Some might say that Conte and Tottenham will never work as a relationship. But if they allow Conte to bring his demanding style of management to the club the hierarchy may signal that they will no longer sacrifice success for style. As it is, it appears the club is still effectively trying to have its cake and eat it too – in much the same way Manchester United worked through a succession of coaches following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement (of course who is a worthy coach. to praise Mayberry) in an effort to achieve a rapid return to the glory days. The upsetting thing for Tottenham, of course, is that their near neighbors and arch-rivals Arsenal, after a long season without the prizes, who are currently leading the league under the guidance of a young manager who – despite a shaky start – stuck around. in his principles and through his conduct and character is an example of following Mayberry’s three key lessons.