How important is leadership and culture to a winning team or club and who would be considered the important influencers and drivers within a club?

Without great leadership and culture you don't have a winning team or club.

A lot of unsung work goes on behind the scenes to ensure the survival of the club and allow the players to enjoy themselves on game day. Behind any successful club is a great committee who along with the senior players who command respect and lead the culture.

Leadership is the most essential ingredient to the success of any team, or club. A strong leadership group can create the culture and standards in which they believe will best suit the team and club.

It’s imperative however everyone within the leadership group lives and breathes the culture and standards set because players, coaches, volunteers, and administrators within club will feed off their actions and behaviours. If anyone within the leadership group isn’t operating within the standards and or culture, it’s difficult to assume or expect everyone else within the team or club to do so.

I’ve always believed the most important influencers and drivers within a club are the President, the Coach, and the Captain of the clubs highest playing team in the club.

If it’s a community cricket club and there’s not a coach involved, it could be the President and the clubs highest playing team’s Captain and Wicket Keeper. The Wicket Keeper in the team should reflect the values of the culture of the club and sets the standards in the field.

The communication of culture and standards to all players and members of the club is vital for any success. People love to know their roles and how they can help, influence, and perform to their very best.

A lack of communication and self-interest can easily undo all efforts to build culture and standards.

What’s the right leadership and culture?

That’s the beauty of leadership and culture, it can vary from club to another and one team to another. What works for one group may not work for another.

Most importantly, the influencers and drivers need to identify opportunities, ambition, personalities, wellbeing, and skills of the people within the team and club and then be proactive to ensure inclusiveness and create their leadership group.

From there the leadership group can develop and communicate the desired standards. The culture will evolve and be a whole lot of fun and memorable for all involved and if a club, team, and a business can get it right.

Best of luck Mike.