Culture by Design, Not by Default: Implementing CORE Culture Design for Professional Organizations and Elite Collegiate Athletic Programs

This paper outlines Premier Sport Psychology’s CORE Culture Design framework, which emphasizes shifting from incidental or “default” culture to a “culture by design.” This approach incorporates strategic planning, clear organizational structure, defined processes, and careful recruitment to build an environment designed for resilience, cohesion, and sustainable success.

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Coaches: Foster an Environment Where Athletes Feel Comfortable Talking With You

It’s no secret that a coach has the power to create a lasting impact on the life of an athlete.  Regardless of age, sport, or level, coaches often serve as a beacon in shaping the next generation, both on and off the field. We’ve all had coaches that have left a positive impact on us and it’s commonly known that open and honest communication is critical for a coach when building meaningful relationships with athletes…through both the good and bad. Yet many athletes don’t always feel comfortable going to their coach to discuss successes and shortcomings, and some don’t at all.  With data from over 1,400 athletes ranging from youth […]

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The Power Five: Team Support

There’s truly nothing more fulfilling than being part of a team that functions as a well-oiled machine. We all know that the value of being on a team transcends wins and losses; between all the long bus rides and team gatherings are adversity-defying moments, character-building experiences, and budding friendships, all of which can serve as puzzle pieces that shape an athlete’s life for decades to come. The dynamics of a team can truly shape lives…a vehicle for culture, growth, and learning. Yet in a puzzle, no one piece looks the same…but they all play a critical role in creating a rock-solid final product. The same can be said for the […]

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Does Your Child Have a Growth Mindset? (And Why It’s Important They Do)

Little League victories, Pee Wee hockey losses, high school soccer titles, and heartbreaking AAU basketball defeats.  Any of these sound familiar to you? The emotional roller coaster of youth sports teaches children lessons and values that span the spectrum; the joy of learning a new skill, the beauty of developing lifelong friendships, and the foundation of being part of something bigger than one’s self.  Those are all incredibly important, yet one of the most valuable growth opportunities to come from youth sports is the ability to deal with outcomes…both good and bad.  Youth sport teaches athletes to win with grace and lose with dignity; sportsmanship, something the world can always […]

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The Power Five: Growth Mindset

Wins and losses. Game-winning three-pointers and clanks off the rim. Picturesque pick-sixes and blown coverages that part the Red Sea.  Regardless of age, level, or skill, sport is a journey often determined by outcomes. The good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between. Some of those outcomes result in perceived greatness; Stefon Diggs’ miraculous catch to send the Vikings to the NFC Championship in 2018, Maya Moore’s incredible 2013 campaign that led to Finals MVP accolades and a WNBA title for the Lynx, and Kirby Puckett’s legendary walk-off homer in game six of the 1991 World Series just to name a few.  Those are great..but many, if not most […]

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The Power Five: Five Pathways to Optimized Performance and Mental Wellness

Data-driven. Results-oriented. It’s no secret that the Venn diagram of sport and life has an overlapping middle section filled to the brim with values, lessons, and experiences. The complex relationship between performance on the field and wellness outside of athletic endeavors has been explored by athletes and professionals long before the days of NILs, Gold Gloves, and Super Bowl titles even existed. And while there have been many leads, advancements, and discoveries, the outcome has been simple (or anything but): far too much information; too much for an athlete to comprehend and translate to results on the field. An all-compassing smorgasbord of theories, ideas, and principles spanning the spectrum with […]

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