What makes a truly meaningful team culture? It's not just putting values on a wall or running team-building exercises. According to Ben Herring, it requires a deliberate framework with three essential components working together to form what he calls your "culture circle."

The first component challenges conventional thinking about success. While public definitions of success—winning championships, hitting targets, earning promotions—certainly matter, they create an emotional rollercoaster when they become your only measure. That's why Herring advocates developing private definitions of success focused on growth and development. He shares a powerful story about a shy player he transformed into a confident public speaker, explaining how this "private win" provided deep fulfillment regardless of game outcomes. By maintaining these parallel success definitions, leaders can find meaning and purpose even during challenging seasons.

The second component involves articulating a clear philosophical foundation for your culture. Herring's personal philosophy—"I'm here to grow great people"—serves as his North Star for difficult decisions and conversations. When faced with challenges, he can simply ask: "Is this growing great people?" This philosophical clarity prevents reactive leadership and ensures consistency in your approach.

The third component focuses on core values, but with a crucial distinction from typical approaches. Rather than brainstorming generic values like "honesty" or "respect," Herring recommends identifying just 1-3 values that truly matter—values you're willing to act as "gatekeeper" for. These should align with both your personal convictions and your organization's identity. The key is choosing values you genuinely feel strongly about and can authentically uphold, not just buzzwords that sound good in a team meeting.

When integrated into your "culture circle," these components create an environment where both public and private success can flourish. And the ultimate measure? What people take with them when they inevitably leave your circle. Are they better humans for having spent time in your environment? That's the true definition of cultural success.

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When a coach with 42 years of experience and three World Cup titles speaks, the rugby world listens. Mike Cron, forwards coach for the Wallabies and veteran of 217 All Blacks matches, opens up about the coaching philosophy that's made him a legend in the sport.

What makes a great rugby culture? According to Cron, it starts with having "an aim or goal that's higher than an individual" and creating a safe learning environment where players can take risks without fear. The traditional dynamic of coach-as-dictator is outdated – today's effective coaching involves a "very thin line" between coach and player, sometimes even flipping to player-led sessions.

Cron's approach to feedback is revolutionary yet simple: ask questions rather than make statements. "If 10 is your best game and 1 is your worst, where would you rate yesterday's performance?" When players self-assess, they become invested in their improvement. This honest conversation style creates psychological safety where athletes willingly acknowledge mistakes rather than hide them.

The master coach shares practical wisdom about using visual aids, storytelling, and technology to enhance learning. From showing players sculptures that represent proper mall formation to filming technique in real-time, these approaches make abstract concepts concrete. His time management philosophy is equally insightful – prioritize key learning objectives over rigid schedules, because "you can coach it, not just train it."

Perhaps Cron's most powerful insight comes from his favorite Benjamin Franklin quote: "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." By involving players in their development journey rather than dictating it, coaches create deeper learning and lasting improvement.

Ready to transform your coaching approach? Listen now to hear wisdom from rugby's professor of coaching that will change how you think about player development, team culture, and the beautiful game itself.

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Ever wondered why certain coaches' words stick with you for decades? That's not coincidence – it's the powerful alchemy of language and leadership.

Words shape our reality as coaches and leaders. When we speak, we're not merely giving instructions or feedback – we're literally creating the internal dialogue that plays in our athletes' minds long after practice ends. This episode explores the profound neurochemical impact of coaching language: positive reinforcement triggers dopamine, enhancing motivation and learning, while negative criticism spikes cortisol, shutting down the very cognitive functions athletes need most.

Through personal stories from my rugby career and coaching journey, I unpack why technical expertise sometimes matters less than emotional intelligence in coaching relationships. Remember those C-team teachers who coached because they had to? Their encouraging words created safety and confidence that technical coaches often miss. I contrast this with the traditional pre-game hatred-fueled diatribes that leave many players disengaged, sharing instead how All Blacks legend Jerry Collins approached rivalry through love of competition rather than animosity.

As leaders, we're the headwaters from which team culture flows. One precisely delivered phrase can shape a player's entire career trajectory. The question isn't whether your words matter – it's how intentionally you're wielding their power. Are you creating dopamine or cortisol in your players? Building resilience or reinforcing doubt? Ready to transform your coaching impact through the language of leadership? Listen now, then watch how your words reshape your team's reality.

What coaching phrase has stuck with you longest, either lifting you up or holding you back? Share your story and let's explore the lasting impact of words in leadership.

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