The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups
by Daniel Coyle
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Coyle speaks + conversation with moderator + audience Q&A
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Mar, 2018
Spoiler:
The author shares some key factors in creating successful group culture, whether that be a sports team, a small fledgling business, or a large, established one. Coyle learned from a Navy SEAL Commander that the four most important words a leader can say are “I screwed that up.” Regarding remote work, it’s fine for productivity but creative work should be done in person; if you need to request something of somebody, you have a 34% higher chance of getting a “yes” if you ask in person.
8:30
Key ideas from the book, explained in animated format
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Spoiler:
Working within a positive group culture helps us succeed as individuals because we switch from simply trying to protect our status and avoid looking stupid to actually taking risks and doing great work. When individual motivation is increased, the group becomes more successful. Groups like Pixar and the San Antonio Spurs have leveraged “the culture code” for great results. One of the key parts of the culture code is sending the message that “you belong.” Critical feedback should be given in a way that enforces safety and belonging.
1:30
Overview of the book presented in animated format
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Spoiler:
Successful groups are greater than the sum of their parts. They are not smarter but work together in a smarter way; this was proven in an experiment in which teams of kindergarteners competed against teams of CEOs to build towers from uncooked spaghetti, tape, and a single marshmallow. Coyle examines several successful groups, such as the San Antonio Spurs, Navy SEAL Team 6 (the group that took down Osama bin Laden), and a collective of Serbian jewel thieves, and describes what makes them tick.
4:49
Excerpt from presentation on what comprises great group culture
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Mar, 2018
Spoiler:
Coyle shares some common threads that he found among businesses with successful group culture. One is the “open face,” that is, looking at people with eyebrows slightly raised, ready to listen. The other is sending your employees a two-line email that says “tell me one thing you want me to keep doing and one thing you want me to stop doing.” Another is the “2x” rule: send messages of belonging, connecting, and over-thanking twice as much as you think you should.
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Daniel Coyle, a New York Times bestselling author from St. Louis, Missouri, advises high-performing organizations such as the Navy SEALs, Microsoft, Google, and the Cleveland Guardians. He is a contributing editor for Outside Magazine and a special advisor to the Cleveland Guardians. Coyle won the 2012 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Prize (with Hamilton).
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