2024 has been an exciting year for us Detroit Lions fans. From the Lions’ versatile offense and top third-down defense to their ability to play good football in any environment, the Lions are just “built to win,” says Coach Dan Campbell. In fact, many fans are going so far as to call them the best team in the NFL right now.
As a diehard Lions fan, I’m thrilled to see them win. But as a business owner, I’m thinking critically about why they’re winning. How did they cultivate their team culture to become this unbeatable team?
Strategizing Your Team Culture
I once heard someone say that every single football team has the exact same players. They all go out on the same field with players in the same positions, and it’s the strategy, the plays and the team culture that make the difference.
The playing field is always the same in business, too. We all have a leadership team and various departments that support each other. It’s up to us now to create the plays – or strategies – to build our team to win.
EOS On The Field
When I look at how Coach Campbell leads his team, I see EOS everywhere. The Lions’ success is a direct result of alignment, accountability, and an emphasis on a healthy team culture that’s rooted in a unified identity—the gritty toughness of their city. These characteristics mirror the foundational pillars in the EOS framework: Vision, Traction and Healthy.
Vision: A Shared Goal
A key part of EOS is establishing a shared vision that aligns everyone’s focus and actions. The Lions exemplify this, rallying around a vision that goes beyond winning games—they’re rebuilding the identity of Detroit football. This unifying purpose connects players, coaches, and fans.
As annual season approaches, companies have a perfect chance to strengthen or redefine their vision, ensuring all employees work toward a common goal. EOS encourages leaders to craft not only an annual plan but also a long-term vision, giving teams a clear road map that fosters commitment and alignment.
Traction: Getting The Right People In The Right Seats
Traction is about bringing your vision to life with accountability, focus and discipline. The Lions embrace a “team-first” mentality, where each player is accountable for their role and trusts teammates to do the same. This mutual accountability has strengthened team cohesion and resilience, creating a support system in which everyone contributes to the team’s success. Mistakes are handled constructively, with a focus on continuous improvement. Dan Campbell leads by example. You’ll often hear him take responsibility for mistakes, and it’s not uncommon for him to tell newscasters “that’s on me.”
Traction is also about staying focused, working through challenges, and practicing discipline. During a game where the Lions trailed by 16 points, a reporter asked Campbell how his team could recover. His response: “One play at a time. It won’t all happen at once; we just need to make progress and do a little better with each play.” At that moment, the Lions intercepted the ball, shifting the game’s momentum. By staying disciplined and improving with every play, they ultimately won the game.
Businesses can draw valuable insights from this approach. Trust fosters accountability and empowerment, driving strong momentum within an organization. As you enter annual planning, consider your team’s structure. Are roles and expectations clear? Does everyone GWC their seat? To achieve your vision, we need every single person to be the Right Person, in the Right Seat. Like the Lions, organizations benefit from creating an environment where team members trust each other to fulfill their responsibilities.
Health: Fostering a Strong Team Culture
Both vision and traction are key components of a strong team culture, held together by the final pillar— health. A vital part of the Lions’ culture is physical and mental toughness. Campbell often talks about the team’s ability to play “any time, anywhere,” igniting the players’ confidence and driving them to excel in all conditions. This toughness is mirrored by their loyal fan base, who have stuck by the team through ups and downs, deepening the sense of pride and loyalty within the organization. This is the magic that keeps them strong and unstoppable even when faced with conditions at “The Frozen Tundra,” Lambeau Field.
In business, health involves building the right structure through the Accountability Chart (AC), filling it with the Right People in the Right Seats (RPRS), and delegating effectively to them. This creates an organization where roles and responsibilities are clear, and every team member is empowered to succeed. When employees feel connected to a healthy culture, they want to be part of the future we’re envisioning. And when everyone can see the same picture in their mind’s eye, the chances of achieving it are significantly higher! During annual season, a healthy culture doesn’t just set goals; it actively energizes teams to pursue them, driving sustained progress and success. By fostering trust, accountability, and a clear structure, businesses can replicate the Lions’ strength, resilience, and ability to perform under pressure.
Your Business: Built To Win
The Detroit Lions’ commitment to being both Healthy and Smart has nurtured a strong team culture under Coach Campbell. He’s built a strong team whose discipline, play calls, willingness to take risks, and ability to rely on each other to consistently execute has been transformative. Every player feels valued, heard, and empowered to bring their best. The emphasis on grit and perseverance is something the Lions embrace, not only as individuals but as a collective unit committed to a shared vision. This culture has redefined the Lions’ identity and pushed the team from underdog to serious contender.
Their success proves how a supportive, accountability-focused culture isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s essential for reaching big goals. Businesses face the same truth: a healthy culture makes the difference between achieving or missing key milestones. EOS provides a structured yet flexible framework to support cultural growth. By setting clear goals, ensuring accountability, and holding regular check-ins, companies create conditions for both immediate wins and lasting success.
Are you ready to transform your business and gain the skills and tools you need to reach new heights in your industry? Reach out today to schedule a quick 15-minute chat and discover how EOS could work for you.
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