Team Culture....where do you get it?

[Barnzy]

Geelong had a team of skilled stars, yet it was only when they had their "home truths" sessions, and stopped playing like individuals and started playing like a team that they became a success.

That wasn't about skill, that was all about culture

You're comparing Geelong to Richmond? They had the cattle already there despite the 'home truths', we don't. That's the difference. No amount of culture change or home truths sessions is going to turn us into a good team until we get some better players.

 

[lukeanddad]

Interesting thread.

Not sure that I agree that success drives culture. I think it is the other way around.

Three years ago Richmond/Geelong/Hawthorn finished in roughly the same spot on the ladder. The rest is history. Certainly the Geelong 'home truths' session. The 'no dickheads' policy at Sydney.

We have not been strong or decisive in this critical area.

 

[Disco08]

thats *smile* Harry and Disco

History shows and is littered with stories about underperforming, undersized, underskilled teams/people rising against larger, more skilled and more experienced teams, armies etc

what you need is a group of people that learn to believe in each other, trust each other and will do whatever it takes to beat the opponent

get fitter, stronger and start thinking about scarificing yourself for the betterment of the team and you will find success

strive for excellence and dont accept mediocrity by anyone regardless of their age, history or level of seniority

there is not much difference between teams that are 16th and 6th at the moment and once a team starts to believe this then they can take the next step to break into the top 6

one thing for sure is you cannot train old dogs new tricks, the new culture has too start with the under 30s, then anyone that doesnt fit the mold is turned over, get em young and brainwash them early with discipline, hardness and teamwork - thats culture

I don't disagree entirely, but I think you're undervaluing talent and ability in this case. Yes history has some examples of underdogs overachieving, but these examples are rare and isolated. If you want sustained success, only ability combined with culture will provide it.

 

[Tiger74]

You're comparing Geelong to Richmond? They had the cattle already there, we don't.

Thats not the point. Some here are saying all you need is skill, and everything else will happen, and culture is a crock.

I used Geelong as an example of a team where they had the players, but no success until they got their culture right

 

[Barnzy]

Thats not the point. Some here are saying all you need is skill, and everything else will happen, and culture is a crock.

I used Geelong as an example of a team where they had the players, but no success until they got their culture right

Culture is a crock. Get the cattle and then you start winning. That creates the culture. 'Culture' is just a fancy word that is thrown around in the media, means nothing. It's just like the myth that we're soft, we aren't soft... we were 2nd or 3rd in contested ball last year and probably the same this year, we just aren't skilled or talented enough. Maybe a few of them are mentally soft but that's about it. That's why I also think a 'hard coach' like Hardwick isn't going to get results unless the recruiters start pulling their weight.

 

[Tiger74]

Culture is a crock. Get the cattle and then you start winning. That creates the culture. 'Culture' is just a fancy word that is thrown around in the media, means nothing. It's just like the myth that we're soft, we aren't soft... we were 2nd or 3rd in contested ball last year and probably the same this year, we just aren't skilled or talented enough. Maybe a few of them are mentally soft but that's about it. That's why I also think a 'hard coach' like Hardwick isn't going to get results unless the recruiters start pulling their weight.

Then what happened at Geelong? They had essentially the same list, but suddenly clicked. Skills were the same so what changed?

 

[Barnzy]

Then what happened at Geelong? They had essentially the same list, but suddenly clicked. Skills were the same so what changed?

They got a good support team in, cleaned out a lot of players and most of their talent (much more than what we have) hit peak age or thereabouts.

 

[Tiger74]

All their talent (much more than what we have) hit peak age or thereabouts.

It wasn't like that though, the change was over the course of a season, not several years (which you could pin on age).

Remember Bomber was on the verge of being sacked at one point because they were playing that bad. They then had their review. After that, they stopped playing like individuals and playing like a team.

Not saying culture is the only thing BTW, but if your team isn't playing for each other, and is more concerned about Brownlow votes, dreamteam points, and how good they look on the Samboy chips ad, they ain't gunna play well as a team.

 

[Disco08]

As always the middle ground is right IMO. Ability is important and culture is important. Disregard either one and you can guarantee any success you have will be short lived and most likely derived from more than a little good fortune.

 

[Barnzy]

It wasn't like that though, the change was over the course of a season, not several years (which you could pin on age).

Remember Bomber was on the verge of being sacked at one point because they were playing that bad. They then had their review. After that, they stopped playing like individuals and playing like a team.

Not saying culture is the only thing BTW, but if your team isn't playing for each other, and is more concerned about Brownlow votes, dreamteam points, and how good they look on the Samboy chips ad, they ain't gunna play well as a team.

You make some very good points and it may well play a part but I'm not too into the massive culture argument and the media/people's perception of Richmond are crap because we have a bad culture. I think you get the talent aka cattle and then you starting performing and the rest flows on from there. If and when you get the cattle and things still aren't falling into place then you might need to address working as a team.

Players might have an individual mindset instead of team orientated because of who they're as people and they might need some work but new players who come into the system aren't going to adadpt to that playstyle because they're playing for Richmond who have a bad 'culture'. That seems to be some people's perceptions of culture.

 

[Tiger74]

You make some very good points and it may well play a part but I'm not too into the massive culture argument and the media/people's perception of Richmond are crap because we have a bad culture. I think you get the talent aka cattle and then you starting performing and the rest flows on from there. If and when you get the cattle and things still aren't falling into place then you might need to address working as a team.

Don't disregard it early though, as it can impact on development. Tambling took a while to relax and enjoy the game, Deledio by his own admission wasn't doing the defensive team things, we could go on.

Agree its not the only thing, but we have to be teaching the kids we get right, or we will waste yet another generation.

 

[Tango]

a good TEAM can always beat a team of GREAT players

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

I don't think the expectation is there, the players don't expect enough from themselves and each other. Seems as though there's a belief that "process" will do all the work - natural development, training and gameplan. The leaders need to demand more and the players will demand more of themselves. Just the feeling I get from the outside looking in.

 

[GoodOne]

Thats not the point. Some here are saying all you need is skill, and everything else will happen, and culture is a crock.

I used Geelong as an example of a team where they had the players, but no success until they got their culture right

I agree totally. Culture and business sense. Geelong recognised footy is now a business, not a sport, and changed their attitude accordingly. They introduced some of the best business practises well before other clubs even knew what it meant. The culture has changed because of this. Alot of credit should go to Cook for this.

 

[JR8]

Dairy section at Coles/Safeway! ;D

 

[whatabout]

The leaders are by far and away the ppl that can influence a club the most

IMO the two currently at the club that can have a big say in where the club goes culture wise are Benny Gale and Cotchin. obviously our next coach will be a big influence as well

Culture is developed from the top down.

well said!!!

 

[the claw]

we dont want culture or try to find it. we need cattle. cattle people never forget it. cattle and list management.

our current cattle are sheep what we need is an infux of top notch bulls.

 

[Ghost of Punt Road]

we dont want culture or try to find it. we need cattle. cattle people never forget it. cattle and list management.

our current cattle are sheep what we need is an infux of top notch bulls.

EEEK! So what you are saying is we have sheep, and then you get some big bulls, and then, and we should be very clear here, you suggest we put them in with the sheep?

I think there are laws against what happens next.

 

[MalenyTiger]

It depends on the nationality of the bulls...

 

[pahoffm]

Outcomes of Tranformational Team Culture:

Shared Purpose

1. Set high standards.
2. Envision exciting new possibilities.
3. Talk optimistically about the future.
4. Talk enthusiastically about yourselves as a team.

Increased Commitment

1. To the group and each member of it.
2. To the groups agreed mission & purpose.

Increased Trust

1. Greater honesty within the group.
2. More direct communication about important matters.
3. A positive acceptance of difference.

More Drive

1. Positive energy freed up.
2. Clearer focus.
3. Fewer interpersonal obstacles.

Extra Effort

1. Get others to perform in excess of expectations.
2. Heighten others' desire to succeed.
3. Increase others' willingness to try harder.

Effectiveness

1. Backing each other up.
2. Meeting team needs.
3. Playing to team rules.

Satisfaction

1. Using positive reinforcing influences.
2. Playing together in harmony.

(My goodness, we at PRE could post using the above behaviours and set the example for the Tigers to follow.)

3 key questions on how to influence the Future?

1. What do we want our future group look like?

2. How is it going to evolve?

3. How will the group respond to these evolutionary changes?