March Madness, Workplace Magic: A 4-part series (Article 1 of 4)
As the madness of March sweeps across the nation, college basketball fans everywhere are glued to their screens, watching teams battle it out for ultimate supremacy–the NCAA basketball championship and one of the hardest tournaments to win in sports. 68 teams receive an invitation and no matter how good their regular season record was, one loss and their post-season is done. In order to cut down the nets and be crowned the champion, a team must win 6 (or 7 if you are a play-in team) games in a row.
That takes more than just having the best players on the floor. Yes, there is some luck, but it also comes down to training, preparation, teamwork and of course, coaching. 30 years ago the 8th seeded Villanova Wildcats defied expectations to win the 1985 Men’s NCAA National Basketball Championship. Their remarkable journey culminated in a stunning 66-64 victory over the top-seeded Georgetown Hoyas in the championship game.
Even if you aren’t a sports fan, the lessons from championship teams apply to any high-performing workplace. Think of it this way: the best companies, like the best teams, thrive on Cohesion, Clarity, and Courage.
Villanova's success was a testament to:
Cohesion: Exceptional teamwork from off-court preparation to on-court game time
Clarity: A well-defined game plan in which everyone knew their role
Courage: Being empowered to take risks and challenge a dominant opponent
Their victory remains a historic example of how underdogs can achieve greatness through unity and determination.
If You Don’t Measure It, How Do You Know If You’re Winning?
In basketball, a high score wins the game. In business, a high SKOR—a culture rooted in Cohesion, Clarity, and Courage—wins the best employees, highest engagement, and, ultimately, more profit. Companies that invest in workplace culture aren’t just winning games; they’re building dynasties.
So, whether you’re a basketball fan or not, the takeaway is the same: Are you coaching your team to victory, or just watching from the sidelines? Championship teams—and businesses—aren’t built by chance. They’re built by leaders who measure what matters, refine their playbooks, and invest in their people.
In honor of the U.S. cultural event that is March Madness, each week this month, we will focus on one of the 3 C’s and how they can help leaders create championship teams at work. Game on.