Eventually, it all comes down to people. Creating a winning team and self-sustaining culture takes hard work, and there is no substitute for it. Teams do not win because they have a new stadium or the most attractive uniforms. Some of the best teams do not even have the most talented individual athletes. Teams succeed because they are disciplined, they work well together, they execute consistently and they have a passion to win.

• Hire great people and train them well
• Encourage everyone to contribute to the best of his/her ability
• Treat everyone with respect – everyone counts
• Acknowledge and reward high performers; that helps identify and develop leaders
• Recognize that we gain strength from a diverse workforce – embrace our differences

• Provide our employees with the truth, opportunities, training, meaningful work and a commitment to build a healthy, vibrant company
• Recognize that teamwork can mean both getting along and having the courage to stand alone and do the right thing
• Consistently provide honest and direct feedback; encourage people to say what is on their minds
• Remove obstacles in order to facilitate the team’s success
• Put loyalty to the institution ahead of your or anyone else’s personal agenda; collaborate and act as if the company’s priorities are your own
• Serve and support each other

• Know your people well; put them in the right jobs and assess them honestly
• Make people decisions based on meritocracy
• Deal with people issues; take action with non-performers

• Recognize that information is power; share it as quickly as possible
• Set clear goals and priorities, reinforce them, ensure follow-up and communicate progress often
• Encourage constructive, open debate and consider different approaches
• Drive to reach decisions and go forward with one agenda
• Share your passion for learning and knowledge
• Reinforce important messages clearly
• Provide constant feedback – tell people when they are doing a good job and, more important, when they are not

• Remember that leadership is an honor and a responsibility
• Understand that leadership is personal
• Act quickly on tough issues and have the courage to fight for what you believe in
• Share your passion to win
• Support people who are willing to speak up – encourage constructive challenge
• Be fair, be just, be willing to do the right thing – not the easy thing
• Get the incentives right (but that is not enough; people must feel they are valued and their contributions are important)
• Be a leader in your community
• Strive for continual improvement – drive change and innovation and never stop learning
• Help our people take care of themselves – their health and spirit