The Savannah Bananas: A Playbook for Leadership & Culture
If there’s an organization that truly embodies fun and creativity, it’s the Savannah Bananas. This past weekend, I took my son Ajay to see them perform live in Denver, and the experience lived up to every bit of the hype.
From the “Before the Peel” party to the on-field theatrics, backflip catches, banana-themed merch, and even the “banana dog” we devoured, the day was pure joy. And while it was entertaining, it was also a masterclass in intentional culture.
The Bananas’ “Fans First” philosophy offers powerful lessons for leaders who want to build great teams and unforgettable customer experiences.
Anthony with his son, Ajay, living it up at the Savanah Bananas game
Here are 4 key lessons we can all take action on and apply to our businesses:
1. They Know Who They’re For
Baseball purists often complain that “it’s not real baseball.” And they’re right, because it’s not for them. The Bananas know exactly who their audience is and focus relentlessly on creating magic for that group. As leaders, clarity on who we serve, whether customers or employees, keeps us from watering down our vision in an attempt to please everyone.
2. They Embrace Being Silly
The players clearly love what they’re doing, dancing on the field, pulling off trick plays, and constantly engaging with the crowd. When people have permission to have fun at work, they’re more engaged, creative, and willing to give their best. Leaders set the tone here, if you model levity and joy, your team will follow.
3. They Put the Experience First
The Bananas could easily make more money by raising prices or cutting fan interactions short. Instead, they focus on creating moments their fans will never forget, signing autographs, posing for photos, and delivering constant entertainment. In leadership, this translates to putting people before short-term profit, because loyalty is built through memorable experiences, not transactions.
4. They Scaled After They Perfected the Product
Before going on their world tour, they sold out their 5,000-seat stadium in Savannah. They proved their concept, honed the experience, and built a reputation before expanding. Leaders should remember: scale is only sustainable when your core product, service, and culture are rock solid.
Anthony and Ajay meeting the Savanah Bananas and enjoying a Banana Dog
The Savannah Bananas aren’t just a baseball team, they’re proof that with clarity, joy, and a relentless focus on the people you serve, you can create something people will wait years to experience.
So the question for us as leaders is: What would it look like if we led our teams with the same creativity, clarity, and “fans first” mindset?
Keep MIBE-ing!
Anthony Lambatos
Founder, MIBE Hospitality Culture Training
Owner, Footers Catering
P.S. Learn your playbook for Leadership and Culture. Join us at our MIBE Summit in January.
