How to Develop a Winning Culture

Today’s episode is a conversation between Jeremy and Jeff Dugdale, Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Planning and Leadership Development, and Head men’s and women’s swimming coach at Queens University of Charlotte. They spend most of the conversation talking about how to develop a vision and values that lead to a winning culture, and then how to sustain success. Jeff also explains his concept of ‘Leaders For Life’, he offers tips to get other stakeholders to buy into your vision, and he shares his thoughts on dealing with failure and the importance of having mentors.

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Key Takeaways

• Create a Vision Bigger Than Reality: A strong vision should challenge and inspire. Dream big and use that vision to create a pathway for success, even when reality presents obstacles.
• Leaders for Life Framework: Focus on developing self-awareness, situational awareness, and empathy in team members to prepare them for success both now and in the future.
• Values Over Rules: Transition from a rules-based approach to a values-driven framework to encourage personal responsibility and a growth mindset.
• Embrace Failure as a Learning Tool: Failure is part of the process. Design activities or tasks that push people beyond their limits, fostering resilience and problem-solving skills.
• Consistency Sustains Success: Build processes that prioritize consistency in effort, vision, and values to sustain long-term winning.

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Episode Summary

Building a Vision-Driven Culture

Jeff Dugdale emphasizes the importance of having a clear, inspiring vision to unite teams and individuals. At Queens University, his "Leaders for Life" vision focuses on helping students build skills for life through intentional, value-driven actions. Jeff explains how this vision was created to challenge and motivate, offering a roadmap for students and staff alike to achieve excellence in all areas of life.

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From Rules to Values

One of Jeff’s transformative strategies was shifting from a rules-based approach to a values-driven culture. By focusing on excellence, communication, teamwork, and urgency, his team created a foundation for decision-making and accountability. Jeff encourages leaders to involve their teams in defining these values, ensuring buy-in and alignment across the organization.

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Using Failure as a Tool for Growth

Jeff has a unique perspective on failure: he incorporates it into his training regimen. His weekly "failure sets" are designed to push swimmers beyond their limits, teaching them resilience and helping them find solutions in high-pressure situations. He advises leaders to frame failure as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than as a setback.

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Sustaining Long-Term Success

For Jeff, sustaining success comes down to intentionality and consistency. Teams must stay committed to foundational principles, embrace challenges, and be willing to adapt. He underscores the importance of involving all stakeholders in this process, from student-athletes to admissions counselors to university administrators.

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The Role of Mentorship

Jeff encourages individuals to seek mentorship at three levels: peers, those slightly ahead, and those two steps above. Mentors provide diverse perspectives, helping mentees navigate both traditional and non-traditional paths to success. He also emphasizes the responsibility of the mentee to remain engaged and proactive in the mentorship relationship.

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Practical Tips to Implement a Winning Culture

1. Define and Communicate a Vision: Write down your vision and values, and make them a consistent part of daily conversations and decision-making.
2. Incorporate Failure into Training: Design activities or scenarios where failure is likely. Use these as opportunities to discuss growth and resilience.
3. Foster Self-Awareness and Empathy: Encourage individuals to understand their own behaviors and the impact they have on others.
4. Make Mentorship a Priority: Seek mentors at different levels and use their guidance to refine your personal and professional goals.
5. Stay Process-Driven: Focus on the steps that lead to success rather than just the outcome. This helps teams pivot when challenges arise.

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This episode is brought to you by Gecko - a student engagement platform offering multiple modules to help institutions better engage with students and lighten the load for their staff.

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