In The Champion's Creed, NFL star and Chief Culture Officer Ben Utecht unveils the blueprint for forging unbeatable teams in any arena. Central to Utecht's methodology is the creation of a “Culture Creed”―a dynamic manifesto that transcends typical mission statements.
In The Champion’s Creed, Ben Utecht reveals the heart of what makes great teams and leaders truly remarkable: a commitment to belief-driven culture. His journey from the NFL to the boardroom provides inspiring insights on how leaders can forge unity, trust, and excellence within any organization. Ben’s dedication to helping others build cultures of integrity and purpose shines through each page. This book is a blueprint for anyone who wants to lead with impact and leave a lasting legacy.
John C. Maxwell
Leadership Expert and Bestselling Author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
Readers will learn how to craft and implement their own Culture Creed, infusing their company's Culture with purpose and direction. This powerful tool becomes the compass guiding every decision, action, and interaction within an organization.
Ben Utecht has masterfully combined his experiences from the football field with his deep understanding of leadership to create The Champion’s Creed, a roadmap for building a winning culture. This is not just another culture book. It’s a must read for every business leader and coach!
17x Bestselling Author of The Energy Bus and The Power of Positive Leadership
Ben Utecht has crafted a playbook for building trust, culture, and lasting success in The Champion’s Creed. His deep understanding of how beliefs drive behavior and his personal journey through sports and leadership make this an invaluable resource for leaders. Ben’s focus on trust as the foundation for any high-performing team or organization is spot on. This book will inspire and equip leaders to create cultures where trust and excellence thrive.
Bestselling Author of The Trust Edge and CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute
I first met Ben Utecht in 2004 when he was a senior at the University of Minnesota. I was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and Ben was a tight end on the Golden Gopher football team. We were always on the lookout for talented players and Ben was very talented. But that’s not what attracted my attention. We wanted more than just talented players. We wanted men who were going to be good teammates, good leaders and people who would make a difference not just on our team, but in our city.
As a coach, I always thought the key to building championship teams was finding men of high character, bringing them together, and building on those character traits. And I could see right away Ben was just the type of young man who fit our profile. He was someone who believed in the power of culture, beliefs, and values. And once he came to the Colts he fit right in with our players. We all shared a belief that integrity, hard work, and living out your core values are essential not just in football, but in life.
Ben’s story is a personal one for me because I watched him evolve both on and off the field. His dedication and commitment to excellence were evident in every practice and every game. But the beautiful thing was Ben was not just interested in personal achievement. He wanted to help other people find success. It was that passion for helping others positively transform their lives that really stood out. Whether it was in the locker room, on the field, or in the community, Ben led by example. He was driven by the beliefs instilled in him by his family and refined during his time with the Colts.
In The Champion’s Creed, Ben takes the principles we modeled during our Super Bowl journey and shares them in a way that transcends sports. He shows how culture is not just something that happens—it’s something you create, nurture, and live out every day. I am proud of Ben for using his platform to teach others the importance of building a championship mindset in business, family, and life.
This book is filled with practical wisdom and heartfelt insight that will challenge you to rethink the way you lead and inspire those around you. I hope you’ll take these lessons to heart, just as Ben did, and use them to build something truly great.
– Tony Dungy, Hall of Fame NFL Coach, Super Bowl XLI Champion and 3x New York Times Bestseller
On February 7, 2007, I stepped onto the Super Bowl field and into a Hall of Fame huddle with my teammates, including Peyton Manning and our head coach Tony Dungy. We became a world-class offense by creating a culture of champion leadership and dynamic communication. This culture was fueled by four foundational principles that together allowed each player to reach his greatest potential for the benefit of the team in a highly stressful and competitive environment.
Ben Utecht
In The Champion’s Creed, Ben Utecht masterfully blends his personal journey with powerful insights on leadership and culture. His approach to building championship teams by fostering belief-driven cultures is not only compelling but essential for any organization looking to thrive in today’s world. Ben’s heart for people and his passion for creating environments of trust and excellence come through in every page. This book will inspire leaders at all levels to rethink how they approach culture and to lead with authenticity and purpose.
Chief Talent Officer, Chief People Officer and 7x Author
Go on an exciting journey with Ben Utecht where he dives into four powerful principles directly connected to the Super Bowl championship culture that was created in Indianapolis.
Culture is the result of a practiced and shared belief system that inspires the behaviors of people and businesses to pursue a mission and vision with unity and purpose.
What does it mean to be a champion listener?
What does it mean to be a champion learner?
What does it mean to be a champion language user?
What is the most powerful of the four L’s?
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