How to Create the Right Culture and Climate

Our culture is everything that makes us who we are. It is what we do, it is how we do it, and it is why we do it. Culture influences what we talk about, how we talk about it, and what we think about it.

Our team's climate is how behave and how we interact with each other.

When we have the right culture and climate, our players and teams play and perform better. The right climate and culture can lead to an increase in learning, teamwork, well-being, and performance. Having the right culture is a game-changer and a difference-maker.

As a leader, you have the power to shape the team's climate and culture for better or worse. You communicate and affect climate and culture by what you pay attention to, what you permit, and what you promote. You communicate and affect climate and culture by the things that you notice, comment on, measure, control, ignore and reward. Casual, random moments and conversations can be just as effective as rules because actions communicate what is important to the group more than words.

Be aware of the power of paying attention to the thoughts, words, behaviors, and actions of everyone. Be consistent, communicate what you want, and reinforce it. Provide clear goals and expectations by defining what you want to see. Manage it by consistently articulating, and role modeling what you want to see. Assess what you are seeing, and then reinforce desired behaviors by providing clear, timely, and consistent feedback.

Research shows that adults learn best from personal experience and reflection on their experiences. Here are 5 reflection questions:

1 - What kind of culture do you desire?

2 - When people see your team play, what do you want them to say about them?

3 - When your athletes talk about you, what do you want them to say?

4 - When you athletes talk about your practice, what do you want them to say?

5 - When the parents of your athletes talk about you, what do you want them to say?

- All leaders shape climate and culture - for better or worse
- Provide clear goals and expectations
- Consistently articulate and model desired behaviors
- Asses the behaviors and interactions of your athletes (and parents)
- Reinforce desired behaviors through the timely communication of feedback and praise