I have recently finished reading the book ‘Legacy – What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the Business of Life’. The rear sleeve of the book states, “Legacy is a unique, inspiring handbook for leaders in all field and asks: How do the best in the world stay the best in the world? What are the secrets of sustained success? How do you maintain exceptional standards, day after day, week after week, year after year? How do you develop ownership, leadership and accountability in your team. How do you train to win at the highest level? How do you turn vision into action, purpose into practice, and pressure into results? And how do you leave your jersey in a better place?
The author James Kerr was embedded with the All Blacks rugby union side in 2010 and conducted further interviews with the senior coaches in 2013 to provide answers for the questions posed above.
The author James Kerr has discussed his own insights into the All Black culture:
“I discovered the being the best in the world is about more than just technique. That rugby like business and like life is a game played primarily in the mind.”
“Central to their success is the phrase: ‘Better people make better All Blacks’
It’s about character and around it they’ve built this extraordinary culture. And it works. It took the All Blacks from a 75% winning record to an unbelievable 86%, and a little gold cup. In my work I see the power of values lead, purpose-driven storytelling every day.”“Successful leaders balance pride with humility: absolute pride in performance; total humility before the magnitude of the task.”
“The challenge is to always improve, to always get better, even when you are the best. Especially when you are the best.”
“A collection of talented individuals without personal discipline will ultimately and inevitably fail. Character triumphs over talent.”
I have taken a from the book a number of paragraphs that resonate in relation to effective leadership.
“Performance = Capability + Behavior….. Leaders create the right environment for the right behaviors to occur. That’s their primary role… Leaders design and create an environment which drives the high performance behaviors needed for success. The really clever teams build a culture that drives the behaviors they need.”
“In recognising our deepest values, we can understand what type of leader we are and what kind of life we wish to lead. Authenticity – the mark of a true leader – begins with honesty and integrity….By being our word we make it happen”
“Accomplished leaders create an environment in which their people can develop their skills, their knowledge and their character. This leads to a learning environment and a culture of curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement…..”
“I think all of those environments, whether it’s a business environment or sporting environment, are about developing people. So, if you develop your people, your business is going to be more successful. It’s just a matter of creating an environment where that becomes a happening every day. – Graham Henry”
Towards the conclusion of the book, Kerr writes that each new All Black receives a small black book to remind them of the principles, the heroes, the values, the standards, the code of honour, the ethos, the character of the team including:
The First XV: Lessons in Leadership
1. Sweep the sheds – Never be too big to do the small things that needs to be done
2. Go for the gap – When you’re on top of your game, change your game.
3. Play with purpose – Ask why.
4. Pass the Ball – Leaders create leaders
5. Create a Learning Environment – Leaders are teachers
6. No Dickheads – Follow the spearhead
7. Embrace Expectations – Aim for the highest cloud
8. Train to Win – Practice under pressure
9. Keep a Blue Head – Control your attention
10. Know Thyself – Keep it real
11. Sacrifice – Find something you would die for and give your life to it
12. Invent a Language – Sing your world into existence
13. Ritualise to Actualise – Create a culture
14. Be a Good Ancestor – Plant trees you’ll never see
15. Write Your Legacy – This is your time
Leadership is a journey that we embark upon. As part of that journey we need to develop an understanding of ourselves and put into place strategies to improve as leaders and in doing so improve others. As a leader, what will be your legacy?
Leadership & Performance partners will work with you and your business to develop your leadership capability.
Mark Maguire – Partner & Facilitator
