Most organizations reward individual performance while preaching team values. They celebrate top performers, structure compensation around personal metrics, and wonder why collaboration suffers.
Nick William Moore, CEO and founder of the Moore Organization, has been with Globe Life in the American Income Division since 2010. Named the number one agency owner of the year in 2021, he has built a career and culture on performance, leadership, and teamwork. He has learned that building a team-first culture requires removing the structural incentives that prioritize individual achievement over collective success.
“We celebrate as a team, we lose as a team, and most importantly, we grow as a team,” Moore explains. “This mentality fosters unity and reduces internal competition.”
Shift Focus From I to We
One of the first changes Moore implemented at the Moore Organization was removing the spotlight from individual accolades and shifting it toward team wins.
This is not about eliminating recognition. It is about changing what gets recognized. Individual contributions still matter, but they are celebrated in the context of how they advanced team objectives rather than as isolated achievements.
“When people understand that their efforts feed into a larger mission, it changes how they show up each and every single day,” says Moore. “We celebrate as a team, we lose as a team, and we grow as a team.”
Define a Clear Vision Where Everyone Can Rally
Team success does not happen by accident. It happens through clear, precise vision. At the Moore Organization, every team member knows the why behind what they do and who they are working for: union families who rely on them for protection and peace of mind.
“When your team can connect their daily actions to a larger purpose, it’s easy to go the extra mile,” Moore explains. “Not just for yourselves, but for everyone you share that mission with.”
Clear vision also provides decision-making criteria. When choices arise, teams evaluate options based on whether they advance the shared mission rather than personal preferences. This creates alignment without requiring constant management oversight because the vision itself guides behavior.
Create Growth Opportunities for All
A strong culture is built when people know they are not just cogs in the wheel. The Moore Organization invests in personal and professional development that touches mind, body, and spirit.
“We ensure that everyone has an opportunity to grow and win,” says Moore. “That’s how you build loyalty and drive impact within your company and across your community.”
When people see clear paths for advancement, they commit to the organization long-term rather than viewing their current role as a temporary stop. Growth opportunities also improve current performance. People perform better when they understand how their role prepares them for future responsibilities.
Celebrate What Truly Matters
Too often, companies reward individual sales metrics that only tell half the story. The Moore Organization celebrates collaboration, mentorship, and community service. “We show that our team’s success isn’t just what we do in the office, but how we lift up our community,” Moore explains.
This changes what people optimize for. When collaboration is celebrated, information sharing increases. When mentorship is recognized, experienced team members invest time in developing others. When community impact matters, people connect work to something beyond quarterly results.
Success Multiplied Through Unity
Building a culture of team success over individual recognition is not only possible, but it is also essential for sustained performance. Focus on unity, align with purpose, invest in people, and reward what truly matters. “When you do this, you’ll find success isn’t just shared, it’s multiplied,” Moore concludes. “Start building a team-first culture. The results will speak for themselves.”
Connect with Nick William Moore on LinkedIn for insights on building team-first cultures that drive sustained success.
