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The Culture Code: Belonging Cues

Daniel Coyle's 3 Skills of High-Performing Teams

What Are Belonging Cues?

Belonging cues are small, barely noticeable signals that high-performing teams send constantly: "You are safe here. We are in this together. This matters." These cues create psychological safety and group cohesion.

The 3 Skills of Great Cultures

1️⃣
Build Safety - "You are safe here"

Eye contact, physical proximity, energetic exchanges, humor, questions

2️⃣
Share Vulnerability - "We are in this together"

Admit mistakes, ask for help, share incomplete work, learn from failures

3️⃣
Establish Purpose - "This matters, here's why"

Clear mission, shared stories, mantras, high standards, collective celebration

Why This Assessment Matters

  • ✅ Based on Coyle's study of world-class teams (Navy SEALs, Pixar, San Antonio Spurs)
  • ✅ Measures observable behaviors, not just feelings
  • ✅ Provides specific actions to strengthen each skill
  • ✅ Culture is built through tiny, constant signals - not big speeches

Note: Answer based on what you observe on your team daily, not what you wish were true. Honest assessment is the first step to improvement.