Your cart is currently empty!
By Che’ Blackmon
For decades, the Detroit Lions epitomized organizational failure. They were the NFL’s perennial underachievers, a team that seemed destined to disappoint. Yet in just three years under Head Coach Dan Campbell’s leadership, they transformed from laughingstock to legitimate contenders. Their secret? A culture built on GRIT—not just as a catchphrase, but as a living, breathing organizational principle that changed everything.
This transformation offers profound lessons for any organization struggling to break free from chronic underperformance. As I’ve emphasized in “Mastering a High-Value Company Culture,” culture isn’t just about feel-good initiatives or motivational posters. It’s the lifeblood that determines whether an organization thrives or merely survives.
Understanding the GRIT Framework
When Dan Campbell took over the Lions in 2021, he didn’t just bring a new playbook. He brought a new mindset. GRIT became more than a word—it became an operating system:
- Guts: The courage to make hard decisions and take calculated risks
- Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks stronger than before
- Initiative: Proactive problem-solving rather than reactive management
- Tenacity: Unwavering commitment to long-term vision despite short-term pain
This framework mirrors what I describe in “High-Value Leadership: Transforming Organizations Through Purposeful Culture”—authentic leadership that creates environments where both people and organizations can flourish.
The Power of Aligned Leadership
The Lions’ transformation wasn’t just about Campbell. It required complete alignment between ownership (Sheila Ford Hamp), management (General Manager Brad Holmes), and coaching. This trinity of leadership created what Dave Ulrich, in his recent update on the HR Business Partner model, calls “stakeholder value”—delivering results not just for one group, but for all constituents.
Hamp provided patient capital and unwavering support. Holmes rebuilt the roster with players who embodied GRIT values. Campbell created the daily culture that brought it all to life. Each leader played their role while supporting the others.
This alignment is crucial. In my work with organizations across industries, I’ve seen talented leaders fail because they lacked organizational support. The Lions show us that transformation requires leaders at every level rowing in the same direction.
From Invisibility to Impact: The Talent Transformation
One of the most striking aspects of the Lions’ turnaround was their ability to identify and develop overlooked talent. Players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, drafted in the fourth round, became Pro Bowl performers. Others who had been cast off by other teams found new life in Detroit.
This resonates deeply with my mission at Che’ Blackmon Consulting—empowering overlooked talent to achieve breakthrough performance. As I explore in “Rise & Thrive: A Black Woman’s Blueprint for Leadership Excellence,” sometimes the most valuable contributors are those who’ve been systemically underestimated.
The Lions created what researchers call “psychological safety”—an environment where players could take risks, make mistakes, and grow without fear of immediate judgment. They invested in player development, both on and off the field. They celebrated effort as much as outcomes.
Building Through Adversity
The transformation wasn’t immediate. The Lions went 3-13-1 in Campbell’s first season. Critics mocked his emotional press conferences. Players questioned whether the culture talk would translate to wins.
But Campbell and his leadership team stayed the course. They used each loss as a teaching moment. They celebrated small victories—a goal-line stand here, a fourth-quarter comeback there. They built belief brick by brick.
This patience is perhaps the hardest part of cultural transformation. In our instant-gratification world, stakeholders want immediate results. Yet as I’ve witnessed across industries, sustainable culture change takes 18-36 months minimum. The Lions’ journey from 3-13-1 to the NFC Championship game in three years actually represents accelerated transformation.
The Multiplication Effect
Perhaps most impressively, the Lions’ culture began attracting top talent. Free agents who once would have avoided Detroit started seeking them out. The team became a destination, not a last resort.
This multiplication effect is what I call “cultural magnetism” in “Mastering a High-Value Company Culture.” When you create an environment where people can do their best work, word spreads. Talent attracts talent. Success breeds success.
Practical Applications for Your Organization
The Lions’ transformation offers concrete lessons for any organization seeking cultural renewal:
1. Define Your GRIT
What core values will define your transformation? Don’t just choose words—create behavioral definitions that everyone can understand and embody.
2. Align Leadership
Ensure leaders at all levels share the vision and commit to consistent implementation. Mixed messages kill cultural initiatives.
3. Invest in Development
Create systems that help overlooked talent flourish. This might mean new training programs, mentorship initiatives, or simply giving people chances to prove themselves.
4. Celebrate Progress
Find ways to acknowledge improvement, even when you haven’t reached your ultimate goals. Momentum matters.
5. Stay the Course
Cultural transformation isn’t a sprint. Prepare stakeholders for the journey and maintain faith in the process.
Current Trends and Best Practices
The Lions’ approach aligns with emerging organizational trends:
- Human Capability Focus: As Dave Ulrich notes, organizations are moving beyond traditional HR to focus on building human capability—exactly what the Lions did with their player development approach.
- Purpose-Driven Culture: Employees increasingly seek meaning in their work. The Lions gave players something bigger than themselves to play for.
- Inclusive Excellence: By developing overlooked talent, the Lions demonstrated that excellence and inclusion aren’t opposing forces—they’re complementary strategies.
The Path Forward
The Detroit Lions principle teaches us that no organization is too broken to transform. It requires courage to change, wisdom to build the right culture, and patience to see it through. But the results—as Detroit’s roaring success demonstrates—are worth the effort.
Cultural transformation isn’t just about feeling better. It’s about performing better. It’s about unlocking the potential that already exists within your organization. It’s about creating environments where overlooked talent can thrive and deliver breakthrough results.
Discussion Questions for Your Organization
- What aspects of GRIT culture could benefit your organization most?
- Where is leadership alignment strong in your organization? Where does it need work?
- What overlooked talent exists in your organization that could flourish with the right support?
- How can you celebrate progress while maintaining urgency for improvement?
- What would need to change for your organization to become a “destination” employer?
Take the Next Step
Ready to transform your organization’s culture from underperforming to unstoppable? The journey begins with a single conversation.
At Che’ Blackmon Consulting, we specialize in helping organizations unlock their hidden potential through strategic cultural transformation. Using proven frameworks from “Mastering a High-Value Company Culture” and real-world experience across multiple industries, we create customized pathways for sustainable growth and breakthrough performance.
Contact us today to explore how the Detroit Lions principle can work for your organization:
- Email: admin@cheblackmon.com
- Phone: 888.369.7243
- Website: https://cheblackmon.com
Don’t let another year pass wondering what’s possible. Like the Lions, your transformation story is waiting to be written. Let’s write it together.
Remember: Every championship team was once considered an underdog. Your organization’s breakthrough moment could be closer than you think.
Che’ Blackmon is a Human Resources strategist and author who has transformed organizational cultures across multiple industries for over two decades. Her books “Mastering a High-Value Company Culture,” “High-Value Leadership,” and “Rise & Thrive” provide blueprints for creating inclusive, high-performing organizations where overlooked talent thrives.
#OrganizationalCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #CultureTransformation #HighValueLeadership #TalentDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement #CorporateCulture #LeadershipCoaching #HRStrategy #BusinessTransformation #TeamBuilding #OrganizationalDevelopment #CheBlackmon #GRITCulture #WorkplaceCulture