Not A Spur

We think that great performance can make up for bad behavior. This belief is WRONG.

Studies show that the benefits of high-performance jerks almost never outweigh their cost to the group’s performance.

Zero-tolerance policies work because they send a flashing-neon belonging cue:
NOBODY, NO MATTER HOW TALENTED, is more important than THE TEAM.

The San Antonio Spurs evaluate 100’s of players each year for consideration in the NBA draft, assessing & measuring every factor (shooting %, speed, defensive skills, etc.).

At the bottom of Spurs evaluation is a single line with a box next to it:

NOT A SPUR

… The New Zealand All Blacks rugby team, one of the most successful sports teams of all time, has a mantra: “NO DICKHEADS.”

⁃ from Daniel Coyle’s book:
The Culture Playbook.