When the Flame Fades—How to Reignite Cultural Commitment
Culture isn’t a poster on the wall or a speech at the annual retreat. It’s what people do when no one is watching. But over time, even strong teams can feel the slow burn of fatigue. The mission blurs. The values feel distant. Commitment starts to waver.
Enter the SHIFT Matrix.
- S: Situation (Assess) – What’s happening now? Are we burned out? Disconnected?
- H: Habits (Identify) – What rhythms have slipped? What rituals have we abandoned?
- I: Insights (Empathize) – What are people really feeling? What stories are they telling themselves?
- F: Formulation (Solve) – How do we reconnect hearts to the “why”?
- T: Transformation (Results) – How do we sustain the change?
In Remember the Titans, Coach Boone doesn’t just drill plays—he creates a crucible. He forces players to confront their assumptions, share their truths, and rediscover shared purpose. Commitment follows connection.
Do this next: Set aside 30 minutes to ask three team members one-on-one, “What part of our mission still excites you—and what part feels distant right now?” Then listen.
Because no one fights for a goal they no longer feel connected to. Reignite the why.
