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Building a successful business is very similar to building a winning football team. As an avid soccer fan and CEO, I see that both areas require a deep understanding of identity and purpose. In this article, we draw parallels between these two worlds and explore how to foster a purpose-driven culture in your business.
Similarities between business and football
Just like business, football is not just about the raw talent and resources at hand. The key is how to leverage these elements toward a common goal. In soccer, the first few weeks of the season are a period of self-discovery. Teams experiment, learn their strengths and build on them. Similarly, companies do not inherently have a culture from the beginning.
Related: 4 characteristics of winning NFL teams that work in business
Identifying Core Values: The Foundation of Your Team
In football, a team’s identity is often rooted in its core values, such as resilience, teamwork and innovation. In the business world, these values are equally important. They act as a compass and guide decisions and actions. At Viirtue, we recognized the importance of aligning our company values with our overarching goal of simplifying technology purchasing. This alignment became the cornerstone of our culture and ensured that all team members were working towards a unified vision. Even if you have a very niche skill set, this mindset can help you find your purpose. For example, NFL teams have a position called long snapper. This player only plays a few snaps in a game, but can have an immediate positive or negative impact on the final score.
Encouraging individuality – the key to a dynamic culture
One of the hallmarks of our corporate culture is our emphasis on individuality. Like a football coach who recognizes the unique strengths of each player, we believe in helping our employees bring their best to their jobs. This approach has not only strengthened our innovation, but also created a more inclusive and dynamic working environment. In some cases, team members may confuse encouraging individuality as an excuse for not being committed to the mission or presenting themselves professionally to customers. As a leader, you need to be clear that these are closely related. Professional sports teams often promote the mantra, “Look good, feel good, play good.” We’ve encouraged that within our team.
Clarity of mission
In football, it is paramount to be clear about each player’s role and how it contributes to the team’s success. In business, this clarity is equally important. At my company, we make sure every member understands the broader mission and how their individual efforts contribute to the success of the whole. This clarity fosters a sense of purpose and belonging, which improves both individual and team performance. Our team members truly understand that they are at the core of a large software company on the horizon. They understand that our mission is not easy, but the reward is worth the effort.
Build connections in a faraway world
The challenge of building a consistent culture is even greater in a remote work environment. Inspired by sports teams that build friendships through shared experiences, my company invests in regular team gatherings. These events are more than just conferences. They are a celebration of our shared journey and accomplishments. Flying everyone in for an annual event creates a sense of togetherness and family that is invaluable in a remote work environment.
Align incentives with vision
Just like a soccer team aligns incentives with performance and team goals, companies need to ensure their compensation systems are in sync with their vision and values. My company has created an incentive structure that not only rewards individual performance, but also reinforces collective goals and values. This approach allows our team to stay focused on what really matters: our mission to simplify technology for our customers. When we lived our core values, we didn’t send a list to our team and have them memorize it. Instead, we created a core values contest and each month awarded an American Express gift card to a winner who exemplified those values. This allowed me to spend time educating my team on core values without feeling forced.
Related article: Secrets of a former NFL player’s path to becoming an entrepreneur
Reliability and sustainability
Whether it’s soccer or business, authenticity is key. Fans and employees alike can tell when a team or company is not true to its stated values and mission. It’s important to ensure that your company’s culture, goals, and practices are not just superficial, but truly reflect your beliefs and commitments. This reliability has been central to my company’s success and resilience.
Building a purpose-driven culture in business is a multifaceted endeavor, similar to developing a successful soccer team. It requires a deep understanding of your core values, a commitment to individuality and inclusion, mission clarity, strategic team building, aligned incentives, and most importantly, authenticity and sustainability. is required. By adopting these principles, just as a well-coached soccer team accomplishes great things on the field, businesses can realize their visions, driven by teams united by purpose and passion.
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