"Sweep The Shed" - How Team Culture Made New Zealand A Global Superpower
New Zealand's All Blacks are the country's national rugby team. Despite the fact that NZ is a small, remote island nation, with a population of only 4.5 million, they have found a way to be a consistently feared superpower in the sport.
The All Blacks are a truly global brand. Their iconic black uniform is recognized worldwide as quickly as a FC Barcelona, AC Milan, New York Yankees, Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers jersey, and the pre-game Haka that the team performs has intimidated countless opponents.
And the All Blacks have won the Rugby World Cup three times and hold a lifetime winning percentage of 77% - the highest of any professional sports team in the world.
How do they do this against larger countries with more resources and people?
How do they sustain this elite level of success?
Team culture is the Superpower that makes it all possible.
James Kerr studied the All Blacks' culture in his book Legacy, What The All Blacks Can Teach Us About The Business Of Life - in which he talks about the team's cultural mantra of "Sweeping the Shed", a tradition that says that no individual is bigger than the team and its ancestors. Everyone is responsible for the smallest details - including cleaning out the locker room after training or a match. "Sweeping the shed" is your job, no matter who you are.
This video is a great overview of Kerr's book and the All Blacks' ethos.
What is your team's mantra that creates a championship culture? Do you sweep the shed?
