✨Culture isn’t built in the easy moments. It’s revealed in the hard ones.

This Adam Grant quote hit home today:

“If you want to understand the culture of a team, pay attention to what high performers do.”

In my last two “front office” teams of five, I had the privilege of witnessing what a giving culture truly looks like: Ideas flowed freely. Feedback (both good and bad) was expected, provided frequently and seen as the gift that it really is. They never feared telling me when they thought I was making a mistake or was headed in the wrong direction. That level of trust and honesty made us sharper- and better- every single day.

When things went wrong?

❌ No finger-pointing.

❌ No silos.

✅ Everyone—from the most junior team member to my right hand—rushed to shoulder the blame.

It always ended the same way:

✅ Me reminding them that the buck stops with me.

When things went wrong, whether it was a minor hiccup or a major setback, we would immediately convene a hot-wash session. Ultimately, the hot-wash sessions not only helped us to address immediate concerns but also played a significant role in enhancing our team's resilience, performance and adaptability in the face of challenges.

In the good times? We celebrated 🍾- loudly and often.

✍️ Handwritten notes.

✉️ Thoughtful emails.

👋 Drop-by visits with the troops to meet rock stars in action.

🙌 High fives, challenge coins, and little trinkets of appreciation—not because it was required, but because it mattered.

Because people always matter.

True leadership means creating a space where people rise by lifting others up, not tearing them down. It means owning outcomes so others are free to grow, risk, and shine.

To all my all-star teams, with a special acknowledgment to the last two Teams of Five:

Thank you for exemplifying a culture of generosity.

#Leadership #TeamCulture #GivingCulture