I’m a sports fan. College athletics are especially fun to watch since there just seems to be more passion and excitement. I root for my Iowa State Cyclones in football and basketball whenever they are on.
Being an Iowa State football fan has historically been a torturous experience. At times it has been Bad News Bears awful. We have not won a conference championship in 107 years. That’s not a typo. My freshman year at school the team’s record was 0-10-1. That is zero wins, ten losses, and a tie. The only thing that kept us from being the worst team in all of Division I college football is that the team we tied was also 0-10-1, and that was a home game for them (the home team is ordinarily considered to have an advantage).
Fast forward MANY years, and in 2016 the program experienced a dramatic change. Then 36-year-old Matt Campbell was hired as the new Head Coach. That is really young for a head coaching position, but there was a track record of success that followed him to Ames, Iowa. His first year saw a 3-9 record just like his predecessor from the year before, but there was confidence on this sideline. His second season the team finished 8-5 including a 21-20 victory in The Liberty Bowl. Big things are expected for the upcoming season.
I’m no sportswriter, but the difference between the Cyclones then and now boils down to one word: culture.
Each year since Coach Campbell’s arrival ISU Football has had a different motto—A Storm is Coming…Raise the Standard…last year was Win in the Dark. There is common language and common expectations for everyone: from quarterback to kicker, mascot to booster.
When you expect to lose, you lose. When you have a positive outlook, and are willing to do the work to win, you win. Even though a decision to get back to fundamentals and “trust the process” can be made in a moment, it’s the days and weeks and months after where the difference is made.
So, what does this have to do with your organization? Maybe you’re wondering why your business seems stagnant. You might have a staff that bickers and backbites. Turning things around doesn’t start with a new program, a new website, or even a new attitude. It starts with a commitment to a common purpose and a determination to put in the hard work when there are no spotlights or accolades.
This is where having a coach or consultant can make a difference. Everyone knows that losing weight takes eating better and exercising more. Few of us do those things without accountability. If your church or business needs help to turn the ship around, I can help. Just like my Cyclones needed a new coach, maybe you do too. Getting help doesn’t mean you’re weak or that you’ve failed. It does mean that you care about your mission and investing the time and effort to get back on track
Set aside some time over the next few days to think about your office culture and what it may take to build a winning team. It would be my pleasure to walk with you through the process!