REFLECTIONS Public vs. Private

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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