Developing a culture means having a tradition that maintains the standards you want to define your program. Culture is established by the people who compose your team and is carried on through those people.
You cannot merely expect culture to be a natural occurrence; it has to be taught and made a part of your everyday routine.
Culture is a continuum. This means that it is not merely a matter of creating a culture, but perpetuating it. Those who have been in the organization for the greatest amount of time pass on the values and the message of the organization to those who are just entering.
Recruiting is a key aspect of growing a culture. When my staff and I decide which kids to recruit, we don’t merely look at the youngster’s athletic ability, statistics, and grades, we look at how they treat their parents, how they interact with their classmates, and what other ways they contribute to their communities. One of my favorite things is when we got for a home visit and the player has his best friend with him, a friend who may not even play basketball. This shows that, at a young age, he understands that it’s not all bout him and he is willing to share his life with those close to him: an indication that he willing to look beyond himself and become a part of something greater.
Culture is passing on the values and teaching the standards that you have learned as an upperclassman to the young players on the team.
From “Beyond Basketball” by Mike Krzyzewski with Jamie Spatola
