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đ§How the Baltimore Ravens Built a Culture that Lasts
Inside the playbook that John Harbaugh uses to build high-performing teams and why he doesn't like the word "culture."

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Hereâs where we are headed today:
John Harbaugh on servant leadershipâĄ
3 standards for building high performers and a great cultuređĽ
Favorite posts I found this week đ
Free mental fitness links đ
This week on The Growth Compass Premium â
Rory McIlroy on pressure, visualization, and breathwork (Saturday)
5 surprising lessons to learn about willpower (Wednesday)
7 things to know about mindset from an Olympic goal medalist (Monday)
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Letâs dive inâŚ
John Harbaugh on Servant Leadership

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How to Build a High-Performing Culture from John Harbaugh
You donât stumble into a great culture. You build it on purpose, with intention, one standard at a time.
Thatâs why great leaders donât just coach their organizations, sports, or teams - they coach identity, leadership, and belief.
Today, we talk about John Harbaugh and how he builds a high-performing team. Todayâs post is based on his speech âHow to Lead Winning Teamsâ at Maryland Business Summit in 2017.
Why this matters: Every coach, team, and company says they want a strong culture. But what separates words on a wall from actions in the locker room?
Standards.
Belief.
Ownership.
Harbaughâs Ravens have lasted because they donât build around hype.
They build around who they are - together.
đ What to know
1ď¸âŁ Culture = Shared Beliefs + Consistent Actions
Harbaugh says culture isnât just a buzzword. Itâs âa shared understanding through standards.â But understanding alone isnât enough.
Shared beliefs + consistent actions = real culture
That means aligning everyone, from the head coach to the last player on the depth chart around how you work, how you lead, and how you show up.
At the Ravens facility, those standards are everywhere:
âTake care of your family, your team, and yourself.â
âWork hard. Stay loose. Be accountable.â
âLife is short. Run to the ball.â
These arenât slogans. Theyâre behaviors.
Culture isnât what you say - itâs what you do, every single day.
2ď¸âŁ The Foundation is Identity, Not Performance
Before Harbaugh talks football, he talks who you are.
Because identity drives behavior. And behavior shapes culture. If you want to win consistently, you donât start with the scoreboard.
You start with your values. Your habits. Your character.
Thatâs why he tells his players: âTo win a championship, you have to become a champion first.â
3ď¸âŁ Ownership is the Standard
Harbaughâs philosophy is simple, but powerful: Own everything.
No blaming refs. No pointing fingers. No excuses. If something goes wrong, the best leaders ask:
âWhat could I have done better? And what will I do next time?â
Ownership creates alignment. It builds trust. And it spreads. When one leader owns the standard, the team rises with them.
đ So what can we learn from this and how can we use this?
Culture is the compound interest of leadership. The teams that win long-term donât just work hard - they build belief and systems. Hereâs what that looks like in practice:
Lead with Identity â Character before strategy
Establish Clear Standards â What do we expect? What do we tolerate?
Build Ownership â Everyone owns the mission, not just the title
Win the Small Moments â How you do anything is how you do everything
The best cultures donât rely on motivation, they rely on consistency.
âĄď¸ In this weekâs premium newsletter, we break down his philosophy further and discuss how to implement it with your team. 5 tools you can use to align your team and raise your standard. Start your free trial today.
đ§ Questions to Ask Yourself and Your Team
If youâre a manager or coach: Are your standards clear, consistent, and modeled daily? Do players know who you are before you talk about what you want?
If youâre a leader: Is your culture built on results or responsibility? How do you respond when things go wrong?
If youâre a parent: Are you modeling character and ownership in your home? Do your kids see you owning your mistakes?
If youâre an athlete: Are you showing up like a leader? Or waiting for someone else to go first?
Final Thoughts:
Culture isnât a one-time meeting or a team slogan. Itâs the daily decision to show up, own the standard, and serve the team. John Harbaugh builds culture the hard way: Through belief, identity, and discipline. Thatâs why it lasts.
Favorite Posts I Found This Week
A lesson I wish I learned earlierâŚ
â Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom)
12:22 PM ⢠May 26, 2025
The difference between interested & invested players shows in the summer. Interested players need perfect circumstances(too hot/cold, no music, too busy). Invested players just need a place to work & get better (gym, track, weight room) & they do. How do you use your off-season?!
â Jon Beck (@CoachJonBeck)
2:10 PM ⢠May 28, 2025
Shortcuts tend to accelerate effort, not replace it. Supplements and cutting edge recovery methods might speed up your progress in the gym, but they don't replace the need to do the workout. In general, the people who benefit most from shortcuts are those who continue to practice
â James Clear (@JamesClear)
7:47 PM ⢠May 29, 2025
Free Mental Fitness Links đ
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