The Summer of Sport has highlighted the power of teamwork, resilience, and shared purpose. None more so than the England football team under Gareth Southgate's leadership, which stands out as a compelling case study in building lasting success.

Southgate's eight-year tenure as England manager has been a transformative period for the national team, and while they didn't bring it home, his impact extends far beyond the trophy cabinet.

What Southgate has achieved is admirable. He has fostered an environment of psychological safety, mutual respect, and shared responsibility among his players. His approach emphasises a positive team culture that transcends individual matches or tournaments. 

"The culture of the team has to be set by the players and driven by them." - Gareth Southgate

In comparison to what has come before, this philosophy has resulted in sustained success and a team that performs consistently at the highest level, even in the face of setbacks. Under Southgate's guidance, England has reached the latter stages of major tournaments more consistently than in previous decades, including a World Cup semi-final and two European Championship finals.

Driving change from the top

Away from the field of play, Southgate has also overseen a significant shift in the team's relationship with the public and the media. The stigma around playing for England has reduced, with players now seeing it as an honour rather than a burden. The team has become more likeable, relatable, and cohesive, leading to increased public engagement and support. Gone are the days of club rivalries creating division in each training camp.

Critics might point to the lack of a major trophy, and that’s understandable, but what Southgate created was a consistent set of values, beliefs, and behaviours that became the bedrock for how his team was seen and understood externally.

This approach demonstrates cultural endurance, which typically refers to a brand's ability to consistently understand what makes people tick and resonate. But achieving cultural endurance in the external world starts from within an organisation, or in this case, a team.

Internal and external 

Just as Southgate's relative success with England began by reshaping the team's internal culture, businesses need to follow suit to achieve a lasting external impact. Culture is about creating an environment where employees are genuinely engaged, aligned with the brand's values, and invested in its success.

In the context of employee engagement, this means:

1. Fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose

2. Creating psychological safety, allowing for open expression of ideas

3. Emphasising clear communication of organisational goals

4. Recognising and celebrating collective achievements

5. Investing in career growth and development

By focusing on the company culture, organisations can create a workforce of engaged employees who become true brand advocates. These employees not only perform better but also positively influence how the brand is perceived externally - much like how the England players' unity and commitment have enhanced, some might say transformed, the team's image both on and off the pitch.

In today's evolving work landscape, with the challenges of flexible and hybrid models, the principles of company culture are more crucial than ever. By fostering an internal environment that consistently resonates with employees' values and aspirations, organisations can build teams equipped for long-term success and external cultural impact.

The journey of Southgate's England team is a story of how internal culture shapes external success, and how his legacy will live on beyond his time as England manager, by intentionally creating values that endure. By applying these lessons, businesses can create workplaces that inspire, endure, and perform, cultures that go the distance, just like the best sports teams do.