Probably the greatest sporting team on the planet, the All Blacks rugby team put culture above everything else. This is shared by the coaches, the kit men, the players and everyone involved with them. Nobody is bigger than the team, and everyone contributes in any way possible.
Four of the greatest All Blacks ever, played against Wales in 2010 in “the house of pain” in Carisbrook when New Zealand won comfortably 42-7.
Straight after the game and a shower, these players when into the changing room and starting picking up a brush and swept up all the mud and rubbish associated with a rugby changing room. Nobody batted an eyelid as this is the way it is.
This showed that the All Blacks culture was all-inclusive, nobody was above even menial tasks, and the message was loud and clear that the All Blacks look after themselves, and that they all support each other no matter what.
A team full of character they say, beats a team with a few individuals with a lot of talent, when it becomes to harnessing the power of a team and raising your culture to the very highest levels.
To show up on time and consistently for training takes character.
To carry on training, eating right and resting enough takes character when the easiest thing to do is to go off track or simply quit.
Character is required to make a transformation in the way you look, feel and and perform.
Character at our gym is vital. Supporting others is expected, treating everyone the same is expected, and taking responsibility for all your actions must be second nature. The standard must remain very high or everyone suffers. Once it becomes clear only the highest of standards are accepted, then it becomes second nature to be your best and try your best at all times.
Individually your character shows your mental strength, how you bounce back from adversity and how you overcome the many challenges that comes your way on a regular basis.
Training hard, constantly improving, eating right, sleeping enough, staying positive throughout, takes a lot of character when your efforts are pulled in many different directions and many people will try to put you off your path to greatness.
Above all, its your character-sticking to your highest standards no matter what, being honest with yourself, being and staying humble, and fighting through the endless inevitable challenges that come along most days, will determine how great your own individual culture becomes.
