Reports
From Parks to Boardrooms: How Shared Culture Powers Performance
25.11.25
Author: James Thomlinson
25.11.25
Love this story about random football fans coming together, united by shared values – and it reminds me how culture sits at the heart of every high-performing team.
The London Supporters’ League is for UK-based fans of clubs like Newcastle, PSG, Real Madrid and AC Milan to meet up not just to play, but to build friendships, share identity and create moments that matter.
On paper it’s eight-a-side in a London park. In reality, it’s culture and community in motion.
Sport closes the gaps between people far quicker than most organisations manage – a quick chat with strangers, a shared ritual, a sense of belonging that kicks in almost instantly.
And the parallel with business is pretty clear. Competition might push performance, but culture is what sustains it. People turn up harder, stay resilient longer and deliver better when they feel part of something bigger.
A few things leaders can borrow from the beautiful game:
⚽ Shared rituals build stronger teams
⚽ Healthy rivalry sharpens performance
⚽ Pride travels – it shows up in every meeting and pitch
⚽ Connection fuels resilience – you go further when the team is with you
So, as you think ahead to 2026, put culture and connection at the centre. Spend time and money building the environment – the results follow…
Story here: https://lnkd.in/eW6SB2rp
Related content:
Reports
01.07.26
We’re at the halfway point of 2026, a good moment to pause and take stock of performance. Last month, PRWeek published its Top 150 league table. The headline numbers aren’t pretty. Nominal growth across the market was just 3.7%. After inflation, that’s 0.3%. One in three agencies cut headcount. And yet, in that same market, […]
Reports
21.11.25
The Ashes is back – the ultimate test of pressure, rivalry and leadership. A bit like finishing Q4 in an agency… Day one is already demanding the best from Ben Stokes. And what a leader he is. Not just the miracle worker of Headingley or the World Cup final, but someone who’s rebuilt himself through […]
Insights, Reports
20.11.25
A quick reminder for anyone shaping their 2026 plans: vision means nothing without delivery. This week, the PTO and the Saudi Federation signed an MoU in Riyadh to accelerate triathlon from grassroots to elite level – a clear sign of big ambition and long-term investment. But in the same weekend, one of the sport’s headline […]
Reports
08.10.25
One week on from the Red Roses’ World Cup win, women’s rugby is still riding high. The momentum hasn’t slowed – helped by today’s news that England star Ellie Kildunne has just been honoured with her own Barbie doll. Over the weekend, I read a great piece in The Telegraph about England captain Zoe Aldcroft […]
Reports
08.09.25
“Be safe.” Every time I head out on my bike, the parting words from family echo in my mind. Simple as they sound, they stay with me – a constant reminder of how quickly things can change. Chris Froome knows that better than most. Just last week, the four-time Tour de France champion collided with […]
Reports
11.08.25
Reports
07.08.25
Got out on the golf course for a rare round the other day and now I’ve got the bug again. No time for another one just yet, but it did prompt me to finally pick up the often-recommended ‘No Limit’ by Ian Poulter. Poulter’s journey is a reminder that you don’t need the perfect start […]
Reports
23.07.25
“You don’t win with the best players. You win with the best team.” – Sarina Wiegman I recently signed up for a long-distance triathlon – which means boring training sessions but more time for audiobooks, podcasts and some old school bangers. Next up? The rather topical audiobook, What It Takes, by the brilliant Sarina Wiegman. […]