A former high school lacrosse teammate recently announced his retirement from military service, bringing back memories of years gone by—and the lessons they taught.
Growing up on Long Island, where lacrosse is almost a way of life, my high school program was relatively new. It started at the junior high level and slowly worked its way up. Without the technical skills of more established teams, we leaned into our strengths as multi-sport athletes—football players, wrestlers, track runners and soccer players. Our coaches drilled three things into us: fundamentals, fitness and physicality. We couldn’t out-skill our opponents, but we could push to outwork them.
We ran. A lot. Our head coach, who supported the Army Lacrosse Camp during the summers, introduced us to the grueling West Point drill: quarter-mile sprints and push-ups before practice even started. We focused on endurance, ground balls and face-offs—because possession was everything in the game of lacrosse. Our team motto? WETSU: “We Eat This S$%t Up.” In snow, mud or rain, we made every face-off and ground ball a priority. The phrase became our identity, even appearing on team T-shirts. It was also how my teammate ended a LinkedIn message 33 years later.
Fast forward to the Naval Academy, where I found myself at Hospital Point—the birthplace of Navy Rugby. Much like my high school lacrosse team, Navy Rugby back then was a mix of athletes from other varsity programs—a team of misfit toys looking for an outlet from Academy life. And again, fundamentals, fitness and physicality were our foundation.
Rugby, as a sport, has evolved, and so has the skill level of Navy ruggers. But one thing hasn’t changed: the two words that echo on and off the pitch: “With you.” Rugby is one of the most physically demanding sports, requiring grit, endurance and stamina. It also builds deep bonds and relentless teamwork. When you hear “With you” on the field, it means someone’s got your back. It’s simple and powerful—a clear declaration of support and trust.
Picture this: You’re on the rugby pitch—sweaty, exhausted, likely a bit bloody—prepping for contact. A teammate places a hand on your back and says, “With you.” Suddenly, you’re not alone. You move forward with courage and confidence, knowing someone’s right there.
Now, picture this in real life. You’re a small business owner, startup founder or corporate team leader. You’re prepping for a major expansion, funding round or enterprise-level project. And right before go-time, a teammate sends a message or makes a call and says, “With you.” That moment changes everything. You move forward with clarity and confidence, knowing you have the support you need to get things done.
Culture, Behavior And The ‘With You’ Mindset
As a Partner at the Leadership Research Institute, I often get asked about culture—why it matters, what it drives and how to shape it. The funny thing about culture? You don’t create it directly. Culture is the result of behavior—the behavior we expect, reward and tolerate.
A “With You” culture isn’t about slogans. It’s about intentional action. It’s about creating an environment where people feel connected, supported and trusted. When challenges arise, team members know they aren’t facing them alone—and they’re equipped with the business fundamentals, organizational fitness and physicality to respond with clarity, confidence and courage.
The 5 C’s Of Resilient Teams
Resilient teams thrive through clarity, alignment and structure, reinforced by five essential attributes:
• Candor: The courage to be open, honest and real. Candor means confronting hard truths and having real conversations instead of talkingaround issues. It builds trust and clarity.
• Commitment: The shared dedication to a cause or goal. Commitments matter emotionally, not just operationally. They guide our behavior and provide the endurance teams need to stick together and push forward.
• Communication: Timely, clear and consistent exchange of information. Resilient teams maintain a shared understanding of current priorities, expectations and desired outcomes, enabling appropriate and informed decision-making at every level.
• Community: A sense of fellowship grounded in shared values, interests and goals. Resilient teams define and codify what matters most—creating belonging and aligning engagement.
• Coaching: A process that supports individuals and teams to realize their potential and unlock human performance. Coaching bridges the gap between potential and performance. It prepares leaders for what’s next and strengthens succession planning—building true resilience over time.
Bringing It All Together
Building a “With You” culture doesn’t come from slogans or posters on the wall. It comes from repeated behavior that fosters connection, trust and results. Whether it’s a lacrosse team, a rugby squad, a small business or a corporate team, resilient teams operate with candor, commitment, communication, community and coaching.
Because at the end of the day, leadership is a contact sport—on the field, in the boardroom and in life. And it’s always better with trusted teammates by your side.
Three Questions to Consider
• What behaviors are you reinforcing within your team or organization?
• How are you building the business fundamentals, organizational fitness and physicality to compete and win?
• How can you instill a “With You” mindset across your team?