Let me use a basketball analogy to explain what a company without team culture looks like. In 2001 after winning a championship, the Lakers came back hungrier than ever to win again and illustrate to the world that their success was no mistake. Kobe took no days off and came ready to showcase his new talent.

Kobe was explosive on the court, doing everything himself, dunking, rebounding, blocking shots, making shots. During one game he scored 50+ points. You would think with talent like that on the court the Lakers would be unstoppable right?

Wrong. The issue was that they weren’t winning. It was no longer the Lakers show, it was the Kobe show. A one-man team. And the rest of the team felt undervalued and useless. What Kobe did not realize was that talent does not win championships. Teamwork wins championships. Kobe did not use his position as the leader on the team to help everyone become better, he only used it to help himself become better.

If you’re as strong as your weakest link then you want to focus on making everyone better. It wasn’t until he sustained an injury and was forced to sit out 9-games, that he noticed something about the team that wasn’t there when he was on the court - harmony. The team was working together, they were moving forward as a unit, and more importantly, they were winning. That illustration of teamwork made Kobe realize that he had to stop focusing on me, and start focusing on we.

I know the story is cheesy but it’s true. Here’s an extreme question to find out if your office has team culture. “Do you trust everyone on your team with your life?” If you’re like most people and you’re saying no, excellent! Now you know why you don’t have Team Culture! That’s what you want to address!

Wondering where to start? START THERE. Why don’t you? And what do you have to do so that you will trust them? Team Culture begins with trust, and trust is priceless and can only be earned over time. Trust is only earned by what you do, and not what you say.

Imagine working in a company where everything ebbs and flows as one. Where every member of the organization is an extension of yourself. They have your best interest in mind and they protect your best interest. Why? Because you are them, and they are you - everyone is one. If that doesn’t make sense then you’ve never had it. And when you do, you will know it. It’s the best feeling in the world.

Because that energy gives you the space to move freely, trust your gut, and not have to hesitate over the question we all ask ourselves every day. “Can I trust this person?”