Sur La Table’s Post

"A company culture should be like a sports team." - that's what Reed Hastings says. This may sound harsh to some but he does a great job articulating why treating your company like a sports team is both fairer & more honest than claiming to be like a family. A sports team is built with a clear goal in mind & each position requires the right person for the job. You have to earn your position but that doesn’t mean you’re chucked if you have one bad game. It’s the synergy & reliance on one other that makes your team what it is...and most importantly fun to play with! Top teams are characterized by a mutual admiration of other's skills, driven by an intrinsic desire to improve & a collective ambition for excellence. It’s simple - If your employees win, your company wins.

Here are 10 things we talked about on our trip to San Antonio for Dirt World a couple weeks ago: 1/ The incredible job the BuildWitt team has done of identifying a need and taking aggressive action to meet it. 2/ who did each of us vote for and why? 3/ Characteristics from each of our dads that we see showing up in our own lives and leadership 4/ Potential options for Path for Growth to respond to requests for team member development tracks. 5/ Possibilities for Path for Growth book or book(s) 6/ What God is teaching us in this season 7/ The value of playing to win versus playing “not to lose.” 8/ The value, power, and rarity of contentment in your career and business. 9/ What makes certain communication stick with people? 10/ How do you understand the first 3 beatitudes and what is a mature way for getting to the bottom of different perspectives on what they mean? Needless to say, I’m grateful for Kyle Guemmer and Matt Aiken’s conversational range. These questions and discussion were invigorating. It’s such a gift to work with people that are intentionally pursuing healthy growth. Also, God bless Texas and Remember the Alamo 🤘🏼

Your loudest team members might get the spotlight, but your quietest ones? They’re your hidden superstars. How can we ensure every teacher feels valued, not just the most vocal ones? In schools, quieter teachers often bring incredible strengths, but their contributions can go unnoticed. Here’s how we can change that: • Recognise achievements from all team members, regardless of how outspoken they are. • Create inclusive meeting structures where everyone gets a chance to share. • Provide anonymous channels for feedback to ensure all voices are heard. • Train leaders to seek input from quieter staff and model inclusivity actively. By embracing these practices, we build a school culture where every voice matters. How does your school foster inclusivity? Share your thoughts!”

Accountability and follow-through are cornerstones of effective parenting and leadership. Whether it's supporting my kids in their pursuits, navigating unexpected school changes, or managing commitments at work, accountability has been crucial. It's about setting clear expectations, taking ownership of our actions, and following through on our promises. Here's what I've learned: -Accountability is a two-way street: Both parents and children, leaders and team members, have a role to play in upholding commitments and achieving goals. -Follow-through builds trust: When we consistently deliver on our promises, we build trust and credibility with those around us. -Challenges are opportunities for growth: Facing unexpected obstacles tests our resolve and strengthens our ability to adapt and persevere. This summer has been a reminder that accountability and follow-through are essential ingredients for success in all areas of life. By embracing these principles, we can create a more positive and productive environment for ourselves, our families, and our teams.

When was the last time we truly reflected on our actions and our relationships? Matthew 7:23 offers a powerful reminder: “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” It’s a call to evaluate whether we’re just going through the motions or genuinely living out our values. It’s always easier to see the faults of others, but how often do we pause to examine ourselves? In leadership, are we more focused on recognition or titles, rather than integrity and purpose? Have we allowed negativity, gossip, or division to creep into our teams? These things damage trust and hinder collaboration. Whether in our leadership roles or daily interactions, we are called to unity, humility, and lifting others up. Let’s take a moment to reflect: Are we leading with integrity, building up our teams, and promoting a culture of support? Or have we let self-interest and negativity take hold? Now is the time to make things right—with ourselves, our teams, and those we lead. Let’s strive to create environments where people can thrive, work together, and grow with purpose. Are we ready to do the hard work of self-examination and lead in a way that truly reflects our values?

CULTURE distinguishes our LEAD Center For Youth Ambassadors - With The Culture, For The Culture. CULTURE: C - Cultivation over Coaching U - Understanding and Empathy L - Leading with Patience T - Tactical Strategic Pathways U - Unwavering Advocacy R - Respect and Trust E - Ensuring Fair Opportunities At LEAD, we believe that culture is more important than coaching. Elite Black baseball players need cultivation more than technical coaching. They require a tactical, strategic pathway to make it to Major League Baseball, starting with overcoming the strike against them for being Black. Coaches must be empathetic, understanding, and patient advocates, ensuring these players receive the benefit of the doubt, respect, trust, and the best offer on the first offer. Those who partner with them must be on a mission to lead them.

CULTURE distinguishes our LEAD Ambassadors - With The Culture, For The Culture. CULTURE: C - Cultivation over Coaching U - Understanding and Empathy L - Leading with Patience T - Tactical Strategic Pathways U - Unwavering Advocacy R - Respect and Trust E - Ensuring Fair Opportunities At LEAD Center For Youth, we believe that culture is more important than coaching. Elite Black baseball players need cultivation more than technical coaching. They require a tactical, strategic pathway to make it to Major League Baseball, starting with overcoming the strike against them for being Black. Coaches must be empathetic, understanding, and patient advocates, ensuring these players receive the benefit of the doubt, respect, trust, and the best offer on the first offer. Those who partner with them must be on a mission to lead them. Photo by Chris Stroud

I just finished ‘Discovery Day’ at the company where I work as an IT contractor. We explored various departments and gained insights into the business operations. During discussions led by the business leaders, I found myself pondering the question, "Does our work define us?" While it’s a complex notion, I believe that our work is indeed a reflection of who we are, but it doesn’t entirely define us. Our work is more than just a means to earn a living; it’s a canvas where we paint our passions, skills, and values. Each task we undertake, every challenge we overcome, and every success we achieve contributes to the mosaic of our professional identity. For me, the essence of defining oneself through work lies in authenticity and purpose. It’s about aligning our actions with our values and aspirations. When we pursue work that resonates with our core beliefs and passions, it becomes an integral part of who we are.

‘We believe that it’s really important to come up with core values that you can commit to. And by commit, we mean that you’re willing to hire and fire based on them. If you’re willing to do that, then you’re well on your way to building a company culture that is in line with the brand you want to build.’

Check out this FOX Five with Dr. Joseph Nocera DPT, LSVT! Joe shares five key lessons from his journey as FOX Rehabilitation's first Regional Director in Florida! ☀️  Learn about the responsibilities of overseeing a team, building a region from scratch, and Joe's tips for clinicians considering taking their next step into a leadership position.  #Leadership #CareerGrowth #RegionalDirector Text me 609 960 7023 to learn more!