From Basketball to Business: Leading teams to victory starts with trust

March Madness brings out all the emotions: intense buzzer beaters, shocking “Cinderella story” upsets and unexpected cheering from desks nationwide (you know who you are). And don’t forget about lawn displays, clothing, and bodies painted boldly in school colors to let everyone know where their loyalty lies.

This strong sense of “we” isn’t just reserved for the 68 teams selected to play in the NCAA tournament – it pulses throughout organizations that deeply understand that winning is a team sport, like here at Rust-Oleum.

Playing with heart

Behind every successful sports team – and in the workplace – you’ll find a foundation of solid leadership and collaboration. But when you are in the midst of transformational change focused on growing the business and driving excellence, your “why” makes all the difference.

“Without purpose, there is no motivation,” said Ram Mullapudi, Chief Information Officer for RPM Consumer Group. “Historically, many think of IT as developers who implement technology. This perception is rapidly changing. We are elevating our expertise and capability to leverage technologies to provide meaningful business solutions. None of this is possible without trust, a continuous improvement mindset and clarity of purpose and goals.”

For Jason Olson, VP of Product Management, he says the people he works with make all the difference.

“This may sound cliché, but we truly have each other’s back,” said Olson. “That comes from trusting your teammates and creating an environment where people are empowered to communicate freely and collaboratively, even when the work is challenging.”

Hustle muscle

The stakes are high. So, how do you find the right blend of talent, strategy and drive to cultivate leadership in every position?

“It’s really hard to interview somebody to know if they have hustle,” said Lisa Bialecki, VP of Strategic Communications and Demand Generation. “Our team moves very fast, and everybody has to bring their A-game. I give candidates a scenario-based assignment specific to their role to demonstrate their creative thinking.”

There is no substitute for the right person in the right role, especially when it comes to safety. Dave Herrington, VP of Environmental Health and Safety for RPM Consumer Group, leverages expertise to strengthen the entire team.

“My field is so broad that nobody can be an expert in all that we do, but I’ve got experts somewhere in all of it,” said Herrington. “By plugging the team in where it makes sense, the person who has the question gets an answer and gains more capability. It also recognizes the colleague they asked as a leader and expert in the area.”

You also need to know how and when to push your team.

“Leadership is like a thermostat, not a thermometer,” said Olson. “We must set the tone and lead by example, so we don’t let the environment around us dictate our emotions.”

“I’m a big believer in putting every task we do through a lens of three things: eliminate, automate and right source to ensure that work we all do adds value,” added Mullapudi.

“Speed loves accuracy and clear communication,” added Bialecki. “We owe it to our teams to remove barriers and provide the right level of coaching to help them thrive.”

Mental toughness and agility

March Madness puts nerves to the test. Anything is possible.

Mastering a deep, unflappable focus can only help you win – no matter where you bring your skills.

“Just like the teams in the NCAA tournament, our team spends a significant amount of time preparing to win by developing strategies, aligning with our team and executing flawlessly," said Olson. This commitment to excellence is the difference between winning and losing."

“When you see a winning sports team that’s highly skilled and capable, it looks loose and fun,” added Herrington. “We are playing to win, driving tremendous results, and having a great time doing it.”

By cultivating a winning culture, embracing the unpredictable, and developing leadership at all levels, teams can succeed and inspire greatness. After all, the spirit of champions knows no bounds – whether you’re on the hardwood or in the office.