Nobody Above the Team: How Basketball Reminds Us What Culture Really Means

While I may not be a sports expert, I have observed how the principles of teamwork, strategy, and leadership in basketball resonate deeply with the challenges we face in the business world. The Criollos de Caguas' journey to winning the Puerto Rico Basketball League (#BSN) championship in 2024, during their first year back, illustrates the importance of fostering a strong team culture that emphasizes collaboration and mutual support. Ric Elias, one of the team's owners, has instilled a team-first mentality, prioritizing character and camaraderie—an essential lesson for any organization aiming for sustained success.

As Ric has mentioned in multiple interviews and articles, the philosophy behind Criollos' triumph highlights the significance of a long-term relationship focus. Just as teams invest time building chemistry and understanding each other's strengths, businesses must prioritize cultivating lasting relationships among teammates. This commitment to collaboration ultimately leads to greater resilience and adaptability, particularly in today's ever-changing landscape.

More significant than the goal of winning the league are the three main principles that establish the Criollos' #culture. First, it all starts with the team-first mentality—"nadie está sobre el equipo"—even if you have the league MVP. All the players arrive together at each game, eat together, and are open to discussing what happened in the last game as a group. Second, all players should embody a competitive character, representing what they do when no one is watching, both on and off the court. Third, the Criollos aimed to be the smartest team, using data to make informed decisions and understand the strengths and vulnerabilities of all their players, with the entire team's buy-in.

While the main elements of high-performance Olympic athletes parallel what a CEO needs to thrive, and baseball can serve as an excellent analogy for contemporary startups, with its pitches, hits, and coaching, basketball, as exemplified by the Criollos de Caguas, showcases the critical importance of investing in corporate culture. And it pays dividends.

Congratulations to Ric Elias, John Herrero, Omar Vargas, Coach Caanen, and the entire Criollos team on their remarkable achievement. A special shoutout goes to my friends Jesús Arroyo for his marketing and brand strategies, and Luis Herrero and his team for their social media management. Kudos to everyone behind the other teams for contributing to the league's vibrant atmosphere.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of our respective industries, let us remember the invaluable lessons that sports can teach us about teamwork and corporate culture. By fostering a collaborative culture, we can create environments that drive sustainable growth and success. Now, in all business, “sentimos la presión.”

**This article was first published on Antonio Duarte's LinkedIn page.