Define a Winning Culture
Oct 27, 2025
How to Define a Winning Culture in Three Simple Steps
Culture isn’t a mission statement on the wall, it’s the daily behavior of your team. To create a winning culture that actually drives performance, you don’t need a complex framework — just clarity around who wins on your team, why they win, and what themes those qualities represent. Here’s a three-step process to define core values that actually work:
1. Identify Your “A-Players”
Think about the top 10-15% of your team. These are the people you’d clone if you could. They consistently deliver results, raise the bar for others, and embody the spirit you want more of. Don’t focus on titles — focus on impact.
2. Define the Key Attributes of Your A-Players
Ask: What exactly makes them great? Is it their resilience? Their ability to collaborate under pressure? Their hunger to keep learning? Write down the specific, observable behaviors you see. Keep it action-oriented: phrases like “takes ownership,” “solves problems,” or “raises energy” are better than abstract terms like “leadership” or “excellence.”
3. Develop Core Themes
Now, look across those attributes for patterns. Maybe your A-Players consistently demonstrate adaptability, resourcefulness, and accountability. Group related traits into broader themes that capture the essence of your winning DNA. These themes become your core values—the non-negotiables of how your team operates.
Example: If you notice traits like “quick learner,” “embraces change,” and “stays calm in uncertainty,” the theme might be Adaptability.
By following this process, your core values won’t be vague words crafted in a boardroom, they’ll be a direct reflection of the behaviors that already create success. That alignment makes your values easy to live, hire against and reinforce daily.
In short? A winning culture is built on clarity. Start with your A-Players, define what makes them special, and scale it.
Looking for a more in-depth overview on company culture? Sign up for our complimentary Academy lesson, “Define a Winning Culture” with your email and get immediate access to the lesson.
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Preston True
Preston True is the founder of Get TPA Fit, a rapidly growing business coaching and value-building firm. Based in Detroit, Michigan, TPA has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and leadership teams on day-to-day problem solving, business culture and long range vision, so they ultimately learn how to delete chaos, earn more and build value.
