Former professional football player Syd Kitson played for two legendary teams during his NFL career in the 1980s—the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. From that experience, Kitson recognized the value of culture and how it drives performance. When he left the league and transitioned into the business world, he not only brought his signature passion, but he took with him a playbook for success.
Today, Kitson leads with one powerful principle—success starts with a clear team agreement.
“Everybody signs the team agreement,” Kitson explained in this episode. “If they don’t follow the team agreement, they’re not going to work for us. People in the organization have confidence that if someone’s a troublemaker, they’re not going to be working for us long.”
Kitson, who is the Chairman and CEO of Kitson & Partners and the visionary behind Babcock Ranch—America’s first solar-powered town—
preaches the value of culture. Clarity, he says, is key when it comes to the attaining goals within an organization—hence the signed piece of paper. Maintaining clarity helps steer direction and it provides essential guidelines for employees.
“It’s five things that we all agreed to do,” said Kitson, explaining the team agreement’s stipulations, “from how we treat each other in meetings to how we go about our business. Everybody signs off on it. If they don’t follow our team agreement, they’re not going to work for us… I don’t care how good they are.”
Kitson, who successfully transitioned from wide receiver and tight end to offensive guard — a move that helped him build an impactful NFL career — also shared valuable lessons including:
"Don is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. I’ve known him for a long time and every time we talk I walk away wiser and more inspired. He is the best in the business at teaching you a skill – storytelling – that will last you a lifetime.”
“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”
We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”
“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”
“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”
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