You may not work in the front office of a professional sports team. (Neither do I). But shaping your organization’s culture is always a top leadership responsibility. Here are just a few things the Royals did to build a championship culture.

Make Your Players Proud to Represent the Organization

Admittedly, when your team is the perennial laughingstock, this can be quite a challenge. But Dayton Moore didn’t wait until the Royals were a proud organization to instill pride in the players. Little initiatives can go a long way. One of the things the Royals did was place large action posters of each player inside the clubhouse – rookies included. That way each player would begin their team experience with a constant and visible message that being on the team is a royal privilege. Another thing the team did was give the spring training facilities a makeover. That way players could see that even a little used home away from home was a special place to be if you’re a Royal.

Give Everyone a Voice

In his book, More Than a Season, Dayton Moore talks about the importance of everyone in the organization having a voice. In the Royals organization, this means having a preference that each person has some experience as a scout – even for front office staff and coaches. This allows more voices to weigh in on personnel decisions.

In lousy cultures, only a select few make organizational decisions. In good cultures, the right people make the appropriate decisions. In great cultures, the right people make the appropriate decisions with input from as many qualified sources as possible. According to Moore, it’s important for every person to have a sincere appreciation for the expertise of every member of the organization. “If they feel like they can never weigh in, they’ll never buy in.”

Put Family First

Baseball is one of many industries that places large demands on family life. Long road trips often compete with family time. That’s where the Royals get creative in their commitment to family. In recognition of the fact that many players trace their roots to playing with their dads as boys, the team invites each player’s father to join the team on an incredible road trip experience the week before Father’s Day. In 2015, three players had the misfortune to lose parents during the year. Each situation was handled delicately and uniquely given the circumstances – with the player’s well-being placed first. As a result, team members consistently returned stating their desire to be with their “team family.”

Work and family should never have to compete with each other. That said, sometimes it takes getting creative to help foster a healthy balance. For Moore, it’s about creating an organization you would want your children to be a part of.

Stand Up for Each Other

Everyone makes mistakes at work, but one of the challenges in athletics is that most mistakes take place in the public eye with instant analysis and critique. Standing up for each other doesn’t mean a lack of accountability. It means helping each player perform to the best of their ability for the benefit of the team. It means having confidence that a player who made a mistake will come back and get it right the next time (and providing that opportunity as well), from the top of the organization all the way to the bottom – both in public and in private.

Share the Glory

Even though seven players represented the Royals at the 2015 All-Star game, the team was often heralded as the one lacking any real superstars. Team success always trumped individual success. Coach K lauds the value of team’s ego when it is a collective (vs. individual) one. The Royals fell right into this category in 2015. When an organization is on the same page (from ownership to front office to coaching to scouting and to players), winning is truly a collective success.

The common message from the players of the Kansas City Royals 2015 baseball team was short and simple: “We play for each other.” Do your teammates say the same thing? If not, your culture may be ready for a Royal makeover.

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his new ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website  or follow him on Twitter.

5 Reasons You Should Join Me at Chick-fil-A Leadercast

John Maxwell: A couple decades ago, John Maxwell had a vision for a different kind of leadership conference – one that the average person could afford and would attend. The first conference, then called Maximum Impact Simulcast, took place in 2000. Chick-fil-A has since become the main sponsor and John Maxwell continues to be the face of the conference. If you’ve gained anything at all from Maxwell’s leadership materials, you don’t want to miss this event.

World-Class Speaking Lineup: Not only is John Maxwell speaking, this year you’ll get to hear from a world-class lineup which includes Jack Welch, Henry Cloud, David Allen, Coach “K” Mike Krzyzewski, Condoleezza Rice and others.

Spark Leadership Momentum: Sometimes we all need to take time away from our leadership responsibilities to get a fresh perspective and new source of energy. Stephen Covey spoke to this in his 7th habit, “sharpen the saw.” My own perspective shifted in several key ways when I attended last year, which resulted in some major leadership decisions. If you bring your team, the sparks could really fly.

Expand Your Leadership Network: What happens when leaders and learners from many different walks come together in one place? You’ll never know unless you join them! Your next contact, sale, opportunity or friend may be waiting right around the corner for you at Chick-fil-A Leadercast. I know my network has been greatly enhanced by attending.

It’s Affordable: There are still tickets available to attend the live event in Atlanta. Tickets are $239 per person, with group discounts available. But you don’t have to go to Atlanta to attend the event. There are simulcast sites all over the country at simulcast rates, including here in Kansas City.

5 Reasons You Should Join Me at Chick-fil-A Leadercast – simulcast in Kansas City

Build Your Local Leadership Network: If you attend the simulcast event in Kansas City, you’ll have access to the network that attends with me. As long as you contact me, I’ll save you a seat and make sure everyone gets introduced. Not only will you meet some great people, you’ll have access to their own networks, their resources and their ideas.

Kansas City is a Great Place: If you live in the Kansas City area, then attending our lone simulcast site at Mid-America Nazarene University makes a lot of sense. But there are many great reasons to visit KC as well. Since the event takes place on a Friday, you can enjoy our city while you’re here. Kansas City BBQ is second to none. You can check out the plaza or the fountains. And the Royals are hosting the New York Yankees at Kauffman stadium all weekend as well.

Win a Free Prize: Each simulcast site features plenty of opportunities to win door prizes, such as the the iPad mini featured here in KC. For the folks who join me, I’ll be giving out a free copy of Ken Blanchard & Mark Miller’s recent book Great Leaders Grow to one lucky participant.

30% Coaching Discount: Leadership coaching has become more and more popular in the organizational leadership space and one study even showed that it generates over 500% average return on investment when applied to learning activities. I have a special Leadercast promotion for up to three coaching sessions. (One before the event to set learning goals, one soon after to recap learning points, and the final one shortly down the road to support the implementation). Don’t let what happens at Leadercast stay at Leadercast (tweet). Get a coach! Visit my Coaching page or contact me for more information.

It’s Affordable: While the live event price is $239, the simulcast price in Kansas City is only $79! That’s a price just about anyone who values leadership can afford.

So what’s the standing between you and Chick-fil-A Leadercast 2013? Will you join me this year?

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website or   follow him on Twitter.