Is the Culture Code cracked?

A mini-review of Daniel Coyle’s The Culture Code

Kindergarteners vs CEOs, out of control airplanes, trench-warfare truces, and the day Google became Google.

These are some of the stories Daniel Coyle uses to explain what team culture is and how to build one.

He knows what he’s doing. They’re exciting material which he presents well in an organized manner. Plus, with plenty of hard science backing up the conclusions he draws from them, it’s easy to be convinced of his thesis.

Which is clear and compelling:

We humans are all alike in ways that make teamwork a science

When we’re with someone, our brains are always asking:

• Are we safe?
• Do we share a future?
• Are there dangers lurking?
• (Kindergartners, pilots in distress, WWI soldiers, and the first Googlers all could answer in the affirmative = positive outcome)

We recognize when someone is open to working together

• They show vulnerability, we know that we’re safe

Different teams have different needs

• Great two last chapters on leading for Proficiency vs Creativity
• Proficiency needs repeatable systems, guides, eg, mottos
• Creativity needs carefully made teams and tools to “churn through ideas”

My review: It’s worth reading and a pleasure to do so. My only real complaint is that some of his citations are hard to follow up on.

THANKS for reading. I’m researching team cultures and am always interested in new perspectives.

Drop a line and let me what you think :) Better yet, link to something you’ve written!