In today’s ever-changing business landscape, two unexpected entities—the Savannah Bananas baseball team and the WD-40 Company—have become excellent examples of creating successful cultures by prioritizing high-performing teams. Despite operating in different fields, both have achieved remarkable success by embracing unique strategies emphasizing team culture and a shared sense of purpose. These stories illustrate the power of culture in driving the success of WD-40 and the Savannah Bananas and offer valuable lessons for leaders aspiring to cultivate strong, resilient teams across any industry or environment.
SAVANNAH BANANAS
The Savannah Bananas, a baseball team founded by Jesse Cole, maybe the greatest sports team you’ve never heard of. They shouldn’t even exist, yet against all odds, the Bananas have become a phenomenon, selling out over 150 consecutive games and winning numerous championships, including the Coastal Plain League in their first season.
THE SECRET TO THEIR SUCCESS: CULTURE FIRST
Cole’s approach was simple yet revolutionary: prioritize culture and fun over just playing baseball. When he started the Savannah Bananas, he aimed to create an unforgettable experience for fans. One ticket price covered everything, and the game became a spectacle. Rather than just playing, the Bananas put on a show, making every moment entertaining to minimize boredom. Players danced on the field, engaged with fans, and treated each game like a live performance.
What sets the Bananas apart is their focus on fun and fan engagement rather than traditional baseball success metrics, like player development or winning games. Players aren’t just aiming for the pros; they are dedicated to entertaining fans. This sense of purpose creates an environment where players genuinely enjoy their work, leading to high energy, strong performance, and winning games.
Cole’s emphasis on culture has fostered a team spirit rooted in joy and connection. By ensuring that every player feels part of a larger mission—delighting fans and creating memorable experiences—the Savannah Bananas have built a high-performing team that is engaged, motivated, and thriving
WD-40
The WD-40 Company faced a very different challenge. WD-40 was already beloved as a household name, with its iconic blue and yellow cans found in 80% of American homes and nearly all factories and workshops. However, this market saturation left little room for growth. When Garry Ridge became CEO, he realized that to move the company forward, he needed to transform its culture, not just improve the product.
CREATING A TRIBE CULTURE
Ridge started by changing how the company viewed its employees, referring to them as a “tribe” instead of a workforce. He spent the first two hours of his day connecting with tribe members, building personal relationships, and fostering empathy. This focus on human connection established a robust and unified culture.
He also introduced the “Four Pillars of the Fearless Tribe”: Care, Candor, Accountability, and Responsibility. These pillars aim to create trust, clarity, and ownership within the organization. Tribe members were encouraged to take responsibility for their roles and the company’s outcomes, fostering a culture of mutual accountability where everyone felt invested in the team’s success.
KEY LESSONS IN BUILDING HIGH-PERFORMING TEAMS
- Prioritize Purpose and Engagement: Both organizations understood the significance of a clear and compelling purpose. The Savannah Bananas revolved around entertaining fans and creating unique experiences at every game. For WD-40, the focus was on empowering everyday heroes who use their products to solve problems. This shared sense of purpose inspires teams to excel and remain engaged.
- Cultivate Personal Connections and a Sense of Belonging: Cole and Ridge emphasized the importance of personal relationships. By treating their teams like tribes or families, they fostered environments where everyone felt valued and connected to a greater mission. This sense of belonging is vital for sustaining morale, motivation, and commitment.
- Champion Continuous Learning and Growth: Both organizations embraced a culture of continuous learning. Whether through “learning moments” at WD-40 or playful experimentation on the Bananas field, creating an ongoing learning environment keeps teams adaptable, resilient, and innovative.
These stories offer invaluable lessons for leaders across all sectors by highlighting the power of culture in driving the success of WD-40 and the Savannah Bananas. They have fostered high-performing teams that thrive even in challenging circumstances by emphasizing culture, purpose, trust, and continuous learning. As the business landscape evolves, these principles provide a guiding framework for nurturing resilient, motivated, and successful teams in the office, on the field, or remotely.
For more on this topic read my earlier article ‘Leading from Anywhere’. You can also listen to my interview with Dr. David Burkus (Episode #2 – Leading from Anywhere or Episode #108 – Peak Team Performance).
ABOUT CHARLES GOOD
Charles Good is the president of The Institute for Management Studies, which provides transformational learning experiences that drive behavioral change and develop exceptional leaders. Charles is an innovative and resourceful leader who specializes in bringing people together to develop creative organizational and talent strategies that enable business results. His areas of expertise include assessing organizational skill gaps and leading the design, creation and delivery of high impact, innovative learning solutions that achieve business goals.