20 Tenets for teams
Your Shortcut to a More Trusting, High-Performing Team
The 20 Tenets for Teams is a plug-and-play team development program that makes building trust, improving communication, and boosting performance easier than ever.
For Managers & HR leaders
Is Your Team Creating More Stress Than Success?
Even strong teams can slip into patterns that drain energy and momentum, like:
Low engagement or participation during team discussions
Avoided feedback that lets small issues grow into big problems
Recurring conflicts between team members
Over-reliance on the same few people to get things done
Morale slipping and enthusiasm fading
For managers and HR leaders, that means more time spent untangling miscommunications, smoothing over conflicts, and trying to keep everyone on track — on top of your already full plate. Left unchecked, these challenges erode trust, stall performance, and make leading far harder than it should be.
20 Tenets for Teams
A Ready-Made System for Building the Team You Want
20 Tenets for Teams gives managers everything they need to run powerful, short conversations that build trust and openness, strengthen communication, create a shared vision of great teamwork, and inspire lasting behavior change. Each session is built on a proven cultural principle from our 20 Tenets of Culture framework — trusted by hundreds of companies nationwide to strengthen teams from the inside out.
Simple.
Flexible.
Designed for Real-World Teams.
With 20 Tenets for Teams, you’ll have everything you need to lead meaningful team conversations — without hours of prep or outside facilitation.
STEP 1: Pick a Tenet
Select from 20 team-strengthening topics that tackle common challenges like trust, accountability, and recognition — plus plenty more to fit your team’s unique needs.
STEP 2: Use the Tools
Each Tenet comes with a short video, discussion guide, and manager tips.
STEP 3: Make it Happen
Take 15–20 minutes during your regular meeting, plan a stand-alone team workshop, or use content in 1:1 discussions.
Why Teams Love It
A Program That Works With You, Not Against You
Managers and HR leaders tell us they love 20 Tenets for Teams because it’s:
Easy to Use
Plug-and-play resources make running a session simple.
Flexible
Works for in-person or remote teams, any schedule.
Results-Focused
Designed to spark real behavior change, not just “feel good” moments.
Cost-Effective
High-value development without the big price tag.
The 20 Tenets are...
Core Human Competencies
Backed by research and real-world practice, the 20 Tenets are designed to do three essential things at once: help individuals thrive in work and life, build stronger and healthier teams, and create workplace cultures where people and performance flourish.
TENET 1: Coachable
TENET 2: Helpful
TENET 3: Assume Positive Intent
TENET 4: Friendly Friction
TENET 5: Welcoming
TENET 6: Upbeat
TENET 7: Forgiving
TENET 8: Saying Thanks
TENET 9: Brag'-em-up!
TENET 10: Gather & Sow
TENET 11: No Gossip
TENET 12: Kind
TENET 13: Restraint
TENET 14: All Aboard
TENET 15: Friends
TENET 16: Own It & Fix It
TENET 17: Standing Up
TENET 18: Tolerance
TENET 19: Unspeakables
TENET 20: Laughing Matter
20 Tenets, Two Powerful Approaches
Our 20 Tenets framework has helped organizations strengthen trust, alignment, and performance. Now, it’s available in two formats.
The 20 Tenets for Teams packages the same proven principles into a ready-to-use program for one team at a time. Perfect for managers who want practical tools to boost communication, trust, and results — without a company-wide rollout.
See how 20 Tenets for Teams compares to the organization-wide version (20 Tenets of Culture) below:
Give Your Team the Tools to Succeed — Starting Now
Get Access
Purchase 20 Tenets for Teams and instantly unlock all 20 ready-to-use sessions.
Pick Your First Tenet
Choose a topic that matches your team’s needs — from Coachability, to Friendly Friction, or 18 more development topics.
Lead a Powerful Conversation
Use our short videos and discussion guides to spark meaningful dialogue and create lasting change — all in 15–20 minutes.