Written by There are so many great ideas on how to influence positive change in an organization that are spoken about in academia, leadership circles, and in the news. Everyone has an idea. Everyone is an expert. Everyone wants to give you their idea, but at a cost. The cost normally starts with a small one time fee and then there are additional idea add ons that come at additional costs. These experts are just trying to sell you a collection of ideas, buzzwords, and quotes from Fortune 500 CEOs without any observation of your organization, team, or situation. No analysis was completed to find out the variables and themes to why your sport team’s culture is where it currently is. There is no one on one discussion of how your organization and team’s culture can improve.
Yes, an organization’s culture comes from the top. But you can influence culture change at your level. Even if you just lead one person, are a small group leader, team captain, assistant coach, head coach, general manager, president, chief executive officer, or a member of a board of directors, there are always opportunities to positively change the culture. Changing a sports team’s culture is a team effort. It takes leadership from the top of the team and others to buy into the idea. Not any different from any other leadership concept.
You can do your part in positively changing your organizational culture by asking one question and listening to what others have to say. Ask one of your teammates how they are doing today and listen to their answer. Ask one of your players what they can bring to the team for better cohesion, and have that player start that discussion with the team. Ask your assistant coaches for their ideas of how to change a play, practice, or pregame warmup and see how many long, thought out ideas, come out to positively increase athlete and team performance. Ask your head coach why certain athletes are not performing at their peak level and what the organization can do to easily fix something. Ask your support staff on any recommendations they have to better a process or procedure. Ask anyone in the organization about their ideas, and there will be plenty of legitimate and real ideas just waiting to be implemented.
You will be amazed at what asking that one question can do to positively change your organization.