🥋 Mastering the Art of Culture: Balancing Discipline, Growth, and Celebration

Dr. Sara Reed
Mar 25
5 min read

I've spent over four years watching one of my children pursue belts in taekwondo. I have carefully observed the environment, noting how people treat each other and how everyone who walks in the door is treated. Watching not only my child thrive but also the carefully crafted environment shifted me from the toxic people I had been thinking about last week to the possibilities of a great environment. I read the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer and learned about the growing divide between what CEOs want and what their employees want. My thoughts were swirling on how we bridge the divide, conquer toxic environments, and take action, but reflecting on the growth and success of my child in a healthy environment that is challenging and supportive took my thoughts a different way. I decided showcasing what can be possible might be hope giving to those in different stages of culture development or rebuilding.

Big Idea Upfront: Effective leaders challenge their teams while fostering an environment where personal growth and collective success go hand in hand.

Question to Consider: Am I creating an environment for personal growth and collective success?

In hours of sitting on benches and chairs, watching ceremonies and performances, here is what I have seen created in that space. I have watched the Masters (lead teachers, role models, and black belts with several degrees) both deeply care for and candidly correct the students who come through the doors - people of all ages and many backgrounds. My summary of how they have created a great culture boils down to four things: (1) Welcoming, (2) Challenging, (3) Feedback & Coaching, and (4) Shared Recognition & Celebration

(1) Welcoming

First, there is a sense of welcoming and inclusion set from the top. The leaders (including the very top one and owner) know the names of every student. I watched from the first belt test how the feedback, correction, and celebration were done with a personal touch lost in many environments.

(2) Challenging & Achievement-oriented

We all know that it is all well and good to welcome people and make them feel comfortable, but to achieve takes something different. The environment is goals-oriented, with those on the black belt track setting goals—not just a black belt, but in life. They challenge each other to be better, from running times to push ups.

As students progress, they set goals -- and during the pretty intense blackbelt timing, they journal and reflect on feedback and set stretch goals. The path to blackbelt isn't easy -- and it's supported through feedback and coaching.

(3) Feedback & Coaching

The third element (one of my most favorites and one beyond names that stood out to me) is feedback and coaching. The culture I observed was caring - and also candid feedback. All the way to the top teachers, there would be personal feedback that was focused on growth -- but didn't shy away from the needed correction for someone to improve their form. Sometimes, it was an encouragement to attend more classes to practice; sometimes, it was the practice at home; sometimes, it was an encouragement to show more energy.

What I noticed aligns with research, what leaders focus on, a team focuses on. What I have noticed throughout the years is that it is not only the teachers that help coach and provide feedback, but the students also support each other too -- and I've noticed the words of encouragement and feedback they give to each other. I always try to create a feedback-rich environment - where people can share what they see and know that if something goes well, they will be recognized, and if not, they will be coached on how to move forward. I love so much to see this environment.

It wasn't everyone just being nice to each other. It was an environment where everyone wanted to help each other be better.

No wonder people stay at it for 4+ years; who doesn't want to be around people who will help them become better through care and candor?

(4) Shared recognition and celebration

The final reflection I had was the power of both individual and shared recognition and celebration, with the opportunity to showcase their skills. I have sat in hours (10s of hours likely) of belt ceremonies, and I never tire of watching how the leaders celebrate the individual success - and can often tell a story about individuals but also that others are celebrating the recognition. From hugs to fist bumps, to positive words of affirmation and coaching, it is a collective effort to celebrate the success of everyone.

How did they do this?

It’s one thing to see a place with a great culture; it’s another to know how to create one yourself and with others. Over the last few years, I’ve seen the owners and leaders within the organization do a lot of little and big things, and they don’t shy away from doing the work. Three specific things have struck me in my observations: role modeling, being present and noticing, and adapting and improving.

Role model

The research on being a role model and leadership abounds; people watch their leaders … people watch other leaders. The example we set matters. Watching the leaders at my child’s martial arts studio, the role modeling was apparent, from following the rules to doing the work. No one could look at the leaders of that organization and question their dedication to the success of those around them. (There is also unbelievably impressive martial arts skills that wow me every time I see them!). They role model how to treat people, how to be disciplined, and how to learn - even though they excel at what they do already, the continue to approve.

Be present & notice

Being present and noticing is one of the special strengths of the leaders in this organization. From knowing the names of those who come to personalizing feedback, they take the time to notice each individual human - from child to adult. No matter how busy I have seen it, I’ve spotted a leader noticing someone who needs encouragement or sometimes they need a minor bit of coaching or feedback. They also take the time to share with loved ones (parents, partners, etc.) the success and growth of those who go to their studio.

Adapt & improve

To run a disciplined organization that is making progress regularly takes adaptation. From their responsiveness during the global pandemic to how they have restructured events as they have growth, the leaders of this organization have made it part of their mission to keep the welcoming, challenging, coaching, and celebrating environment. When others might have turned growth into less, I have seen them adapt and continue to improve to stay true to their mission.

Right now there is more written about distrust, toxic cultures, and what leaders are (or are not) doing. I wanted to showcase a bright spot in what might be possible. The power of intentionality, doing the work, and coming from a place of care and growth to build a great culture. (And let’s be honest, not much can stop a proud mom from showcasing the community that helped her child grow and be successful.)