Thunderstruck

If any of you have caught “America’s Sweethearts” on Netflix, then you’ll know the importance of that song.

You’ll also have been utterly mesmerised by the process through which the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders – the ultimate and best-known cheerleading team in the entire world – get auditioned, are then selected, go off rehearsing, get cut (tears!) and finally make the squad.

There is so much of this documentary that had me hooked – the pressure to perform, the drive for perfection, the palpable agony of losing your spot… and let’s not forget the jump splits!

But it was the sense of pride that these young women get from wearing the Dallas Cowboys iconic uniform that stood out most of all. The shorts (eek, so small), the sparkling stars, the knotted top, and the perfect fit Lucchese cowboy boots.

It meant the absolute world to these girls to wear that brand, to represent the team, to stand for everything that the stars on the pitch (the football players) also want to fly the flag for.

They are utterly committed to being the best brand ambassadors any employer could ever wish to have.

And I loved it. And I was jealous for other (everyday) brands because it’s not easy to get that.

But I was validated in my thinking that being able to embed your values deep into your people and have them want to show their love for their work in the real world by becoming a cheerleader for you (albeit not one in Texas), is a goal we should all work harder to achieve.

Make the team (actually, make the team feel good every day) by looking at your staff merchandise and workwear strategy.? It truly makes a difference.?