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The Hidden Details That Separates Elite's From the Rest
The LAB Performance
March 14, 2025 • Reading Time: 6 minutes
The best aren’t getting better on their own, they’re getting better because they are being coached.
Toto Wolff - Team Principle & Co-Owner, Mercedes Mercedes AMG Petronas Forumla 1
When Toto Wolff first stepped into the Mercedes F1 headquarters, something struck him—not the engineering, but the environment.
A week-old newspaper and used coffee cups cluttered the reception area. To most, it was a minor oversight. To Wolff, it signalled a deeper issue. Ross Brawn, the mastermind behind Michael Schumacher’s dominance, dismissed the concern. “It’s the engineering that makes a car quick,” he reasoned. Wolff disagreed. “It’s attention to detail that matters. If the reception of a Formula 1 team isn’t up to standard, then what is?”
At the time, Brawn was the gold standard in F1, responsible for eight world championships across three decades. Wolff was a relative newcomer. Yet under his leadership, Mercedes redefined what excellence meant—not just in engineering, but in culture. The result? Eight consecutive world championships.
Key Takeaways for Leaders:
✅ Excellence starts with environment. A culture of high performance is reflected in every detail, from the boardroom to the break room.
✅ Attention to detail signals expectations. If leaders tolerate sloppiness in small things, they invite complacency in bigger ones.
The Power of Detail.
“I’ve rarely seen a world-class organization where the CEO or leadership team isn’t obsessed with the details,” Wolff explains. For him, details extend beyond aerodynamics and race strategy. They include people, behaviors, and the work environment.
“I don’t run racing cars; I run the people who run racing cars,” Wolff says.
His leadership redefined Mercedes. Engineering excellence remained a pillar, but precision in the team’s culture became a game-changer.
Key Takeaways for Leaders:
✅ Culture is built through consistent behaviors. High standards in one area cascade into others.
✅ Leadership is about people first. The best strategies mean nothing if the team executing them isn’t aligned and engaged.
Culture as an Immune System.
“Culture is the immune system of any organisation,” Wolff says.
At Mercedes, this wasn’t just a metaphor. Every F1 garage had sanitizer stations. A Hygiene Manager traveled with the team to ensure cleanliness and prevent illness. More than hygiene, this was about reinforcing a standard.
“We’re in the reputation business. Sponsors, CEOs, and high-profile guests expect excellence. You can’t have a dirty bathroom,” Wolff explains.
A strong immune system doesn’t prevent every setback—it strengthens resilience. The same is true for culture. When adversity strikes, the right culture keeps teams aligned and performing.
Key Takeaways for Leaders:
✅ Culture is a defense mechanism. Strong cultural standards prevent misalignment and reinforce high performance under pressure.
✅ Live the values every day. Leadership principles must be demonstrated in action, not just written in a mission statement.
People Set The Standard.
It’s not just engineering that makes a car fast—it’s the people behind it. A spotless garage doesn’t win races, but the discipline that keeps it spotless? That wins championships.
“When I first walked into the garage, it was a mess,” Wolff recalls. “Now, after every session, the floor is cleaned, tire marks erased, tools put away. Everything is in its place. That attention to detail carries over into how we care for the cars. We’re meticulous.”
This is culture in action: people like us do things like this. First, they kept the bathrooms spotless. Then, the garage. Soon, this standard permeated everything they did.
A leader sets the tone, but real transformation happens when the team embraces the standard as their own.
Key Takeaways for Leaders:
✅ People don’t follow rules, they follow norms. When high standards become embedded in culture, they sustain themselves.
✅ Leaders initiate, teams reinforce. The true test of leadership is when your standards continue without direct oversight.
"Leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room, but about empowering others to achieve their best."
Toto Wolff - Team Principle & Co-Owner, Mercedes Mercedes AMG Petronas Forumla 1
Winning in business, sport, or any high-performance field isn’t just about strategy—it’s about creating an environment where excellence is the default. Set the standard, live it daily, and let your people elevate it even further.
Coaches Notes:
1️⃣ Attention to Detail Defines Excellence
Small details—like cleanliness in a garage or reception area—reflect the overall standards of an organisation. Leaders who demand precision in the little things create a culture of excellence in everything.
2️⃣ Culture is Your Organisation’s Immune System
Just as a strong immune system helps the body recover from illness, a strong culture helps teams navigate setbacks and maintain high standards even under pressure.
3️⃣ Leadership is About People, Not Just Strategy
Wolff’s mantra, “I don’t run racing cars; I run the people who run racing cars,” is a reminder that elite performance comes from investing in people, not just processes or technology.
4️⃣ Behaviors Set the Standard, Not Just Words
A leader’s expectations only become reality when people embody them daily. When standards move beyond policies and become ingrained in habits, that’s when culture truly transforms performance.
5️⃣ Winning Cultures Are Built on Consistency
Sustained success isn’t about one-off moments of brilliance—it’s about maintaining high standards over time. Leaders must reinforce behaviors that drive performance, ensuring the culture strengthens with each season.