HANGING BANNERS AND BUILDING DYNASTIES

By Jamey Lutz—

Are you and your team committed to hanging corporate banners?

Some of my fondest collegiate memories revolve around the passion-filled bedlam of UNC basketball—from playing pickup games with Tar Heel legends to camping out for days to score tickets to the annual Carolina/Duke showdown in Chapel Hill. But nothing embodies the culture more fully than attending a game at the Dean E. Smith Center.

Though the Dean Dome may not be the most modern or extravagant venue, one element sets it apart: the banners. Whether sitting courtside or in the upper bowl, it’s impossible to miss the rows of championship banners and retired jerseys hanging from the rafters—a tribute to the teams and players whose achievements defined Carolina basketball.

Just as championship banners symbolize excellence in sports, businesses should strive for accomplishments that set them apart from the competition. Winning organizations don’t settle for mediocrity. They refuse to be mere stepping stones for competitors. Given the choice, why aim for second place? I don’t know about you, but I want to win—every time. And if I don’t win, I want to die trying.

What are the defining characteristics of world-class organizations that consistently achieve extraordinary results for customers, employees, and stakeholders? While there are many, four stand out as critical disciplines that position enterprises for true banner-hanging success.

Get Everyone on Board

Winning teams—whether in business or athletics—don’t succeed in isolation. As a leader, your responsibility is to cast a clear vision and align your team with shared values.

No matter how talented or passionate you may be, individual effort alone won’t create sustained excellence. Success demands unity, where each team member understands their unique role and contribution. A crew that rows out of sync won’t move forward; they’ll only spin in circles, no matter how hard they paddle.

Ask yourself: Is my team fully committed to hanging organizational banners, or are they content running the same plays they always have? If it’s the latter, your coaching isn’t done yet.

Master the Basics

Greatness isn’t achieved by quick-fix programs or fleeting initiatives. Sustained excellence requires an unwavering commitment to the fundamentals—especially when setbacks tempt us to take shortcuts or abandon the process.

Companies like Ritz-Carlton and Zappos understand this well. At Ritz-Carlton, every employee worldwide participates in daily lineup meetings, reinforcing service standards that define the brand. Similarly, Zappos’ 10 Core Values aren’t just memorized; they shape behaviors and drive culture.

Two critical questions for your organization:

• Does our playbook—mission, vision, values, and strategy—position us for championship success?

• Will we stick to the game plan even when it pushes us beyond our comfort zone?

Set Banner-Worthy Goals

The banners hanging in the Dean Dome represent milestones—national championships, Final Four appearances, conference titles—worthy of celebration. In business, defining banner-worthy achievements requires strategic clarity.

If your team hasn’t identified what constitutes championship-level success, now is the time. Whether it’s leading the market in key financial metrics, earning best workplace recognition, breaking records for community service, or winning national customer experience awards, the opportunities to hang banners are limited only by the creativity of your people.

Sustaining Banner-Worthy Momentum

Reaching the mountaintop is only half the battle—staying there is what separates fleeting success from lasting greatness. Many organizations experience victories but fail to build upon them, allowing complacency to creep in. True champions don’t just win once; they build dynasties by fostering a culture of continuous improvement, adaptability, and leadership commitment.

A dynasty isn’t formed by a single championship—it’s the result of relentless dedication, evolving strategies, and a refusal to settle. Winning organizations recognize that championship banners are not just reflections of past triumphs but commitments to the standards they must uphold every day. Success isn’t static, and staying at the top demands the ability to pivot when necessary while remaining true to the organization’s core values. Leaders play a crucial role in this process, ensuring vision alignment, recognition, and accountability remain priorities well beyond a single milestone.

By instilling a dynasty-driven mindset—one that embraces perpetual innovation and leadership excellence—organizations don’t just hang banners; they forge legacies that endure.

And once you reach the summit, don’t forget to celebrate and reflect on the breakthroughs and setbacks that enabled your success—hang your banner, honor the journey, and prepare for the next championship run ahead!

jameylutz.com