In Part I of this series, we explored the leadership lessons I observed during my time with the Penrith Panthers pre-season camp. We looked at how trust, accountability, and inclusivity form the foundation of their high performance.
But leadership on its own isn’t enough. What I saw in Penrith was something deeper—the cultural glue that holds the team together. Culture is often the hardest thing to measure, but it’s also the force that carries a team through high-pressure moments and sustains success over years, not just seasons.
Here are five lessons on culture and connection that corporate teams can learn from the Panthers:
Lesson 6: Humility & Consideration
Even as back-to-back NRL champions, the Panthers carry themselves with humility. There was no ego on display at camp—just respect for teammates and staff alike.
Whenever a hiker came the other way, the entire group stopped. Stepped aside. Waited quietly as the hiker passed. Then moved on, together. No ego. No entitlement. Just respect.
In high-performing organisations, humility is the antidote to ego. When leaders show consideration and put the team before themselves, they create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
Lesson 7: Vulnerability, Connection & Trust
You’d expect a squad of rugby league players to be tough, stoic, and closed. But one of the most powerful moments I witnessed was the players opening up about personal challenges. This wasn’t about weakness—it was about trust. Vulnerability is what allowed them to connect more deeply as people, not just teammates.
In the corporate world, vulnerability fosters psychological safety. When leaders and team members are willing to admit challenges or ask for help, it creates trust and strengthens collaboration. Connection comes not from perfection, but from honesty.
Lesson 8: Effective Communication
The Blue Mountains canyons are unpredictable: pools you can’t see, logs hidden underwater, and slippery rocks around blind corners. For a group of 55, communication is life or death. The Penrith Panthers train hard on communication—on and off the field.
What struck me was how intentional it was. They didn’t just speak to be heard; they communicated to align, to clarify, and to encourage. No exaggeration. No misinterpretation. No confusion. It was the cleanest, sharpest communication I’ve seen in over ten years of running adventure programs.
Most corporate teams don’t fail because of skill gaps—they fail because of misalignment and poor communication. Building habits of clear, respectful, and frequent communication keeps everyone on the same page and moving toward the same goal.
Lesson 9: Energy Beats Talent When It Counts
It was 6 a.m. when the Panthers rolled into the Blue Mountains for their offsite. They didn’t know what lay ahead. But they showed up with enthusiasm. Energy isn’t left to chance; it’s cultivated. It carried them through every activity, every obstacle. It made the tough parts fun. It kept their momentum high.
Energy is contagious in business too. Leaders who bring positivity and urgency lift their teams. High-energy teams perform better because their mindset is optimistic, engaged, and resilient. When challenges come, they don’t shrink—they rise.
Lesson 10: Culture in the Banter
One of the most underestimated yet powerful elements I observed was banter. All through camp, the Panthers were ribbing each other. Their humour wasn’t a distraction—it was part of the fabric of their culture. It created belonging and strengthened bonds when the pressure was on.
Culture isn’t built in big speeches; it’s created in everyday interactions. Respectful banter signals trust. It says: “We like each other. We’ve got each other’s backs.”
When leaders encourage playful, respectful humour, they humanise culture. And that’s what makes teams more resilient, more cohesive, and far more enjoyable to be part of.
The Penrith Panthers reminded me that culture isn’t about posters on the wall—it’s what people feel when they show up every day. Humility, vulnerability, clear communication, contagious energy, and even laughter—these are the cultural forces that drive performance and resilience over the long term.
In Part III of The Success Code, we’ll explore the disciplines and mindset shifts that allow high-performing teams to stay focused, calm, and united when the stakes are highest.
