Recently, I was asked to write an article on what I love about being an SEM physician (here if you’re interested). It is not a question I reflect on often. But the process of reflection helped me to realise that my job gives me a unique and varied insight across a wide range of sports. Most people involved in elite sport spend decades specialising in one sport. Many spend entire careers at only a few clubs or institutions.
A lot can be gained by observing the inner workings of different sporting organisations. One thing I’ve developed is a strong appreciation for the importance of culture. I’ve seen vastly different approaches to team structure, leadership, player-coach interaction and staff cohesion. I’ve seen some great team environments and I’ve seen some that have been truly toxic. Unsurprisingly there has been a direct and strong correlation between good culture and sustained on-field success.
Culture has more inertia than individuals have momentum
Yesterday I was lucky enough to be involved in a team leadership meeting with an Australian national sporting team. The importance of culture was a key theme. Culture can’t be changed by a single individual. If the culture is poor then individuals coming into that environment will either assimilate to the existing culture, not thrive to their potential or leave that environment. The reverse is true when the culture is good and individuals will be challenged to meet the cultural expectations and to get the best out of themselves. This is why the culture of organisations can continue well beyond personnel changes and can exist in clubs across entire generations. We have all seen players who have performed well at one club and inexplicably poorly at another.
Ego & Insecurity
Many factors contribute to team culture. In my experience, two of the most common damaging elements to culture are ego and insecurity. Ego is rife in sport and it can be further fueled by accolades and media attention. Insecurity can exist among staff and players alike and can lead to actions and decisions where team benefit is not the top priority.
Different Sports
Although organisations foster their own culture, it is also evident that different cultures exist between sporting codes. Certain sports have reputations for bitchiness, bullying, pushy-parents, boys-clubs, sexism or racism. It seems those behaviours are often fostered early at junior levels.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
I’ve seen groups where the coach is approachable and fair. Where players respect each other equally and can give open and honest criticism and praise without offence. In these teams, there are no cliques. There is one common goal. Nothing is achieved by stand-over intimidation. Newcomers are welcomed, included and assimilated quickly. These are not soft environments though. They are usually the exact opposite. High standards are demanded and expected. Challenges are viewed as opportunities to improve. Unsurprisingly, those teams have also been incredibly successful.
Unfortunately, I’ve also seen some absolute shockers. I’ve been at organisations where team doctors didn’t have a seat at the weekly coach/medical meeting due to the insecurity and ego of some staff members. Where open communication was compromised by cliques and power-plays. Where players intimidated both each other and junior staff members. I’ve seen touring teams become involved in prostitution, theft, property damage, binge-drinking and misogynistic behaviour.
So, What Works?
Rules and fines don’t always work. The problem with rules and fines is that they can be used as a bullying tool when applied unevenly. One team I’ve seen with particularly good culture had no fine system but if anyone was caught using a screen at mealtime the punishment was to stand on their chair and sing a song for the team. Identifying behaviours inconsistent with team expectations and diffusing it with humour works well.
Money and profile sometimes don’t help because humility does. Those two things don’t have to be mutually exclusive but they often are. Programs with less funding or a lesser public profile often have players more considerate about the needs of the team. Team equipment is loaded onto the bus by players without being asked. Everyone is five minutes early to team meetings out of respect not nagging.
An important aspect of team culture is that it is fostered by everyone. It’s important for team doctors to understand this. Sometimes there are quiet and even boring moments on tour when everyone is healthy and you question your own value to the group. Those moments are perfect for turning your attention to what can be done to strengthen not just the health and wellbeing but also the cohesion and culture of the group.
