As a fan of the Green Bay Packers as a kid (the Vince Lombardi era), I was struck even back then by the culture of the organization and its singular commitment to winning.
In the 1960s, that meant the entire team was focused on a single goal. Former Packer Henry Jordan said the means to achieve that goal was simple. "Lombardi treats us all alike, like dogs."
In recent years, the team has embraced its Titletown heritage and remained focused on the goal, although in a style decidedly different than under Mr. Lombardi.
"Some teams can coach out of fear," Packer safety Charlie Peprah told the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "Here it's all about building you up and encouraging you and trying to work on improving versus what have you done wrong."
David Novak, the CEO of Yum Brands (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell), recently did an interview in which he spoke about creating the right environment for organizational improvement to take place.
"It's a leader's job to create a safe haven that allows people to raise issues without the fear of losing their jobs," Mr. Novak told Inc.com. "The real natural leaders do it. They can't wait to tell you what you're missing, because they're trying to move the business forward and they're looking for growth and they're really trying to identify the unfinished business."