Eight years ago I spent several hours with James Kerr who was researching a breakthrough book on Leadership. He called it Legacy and based it on what we could all learn from studying the inner workings of the World’s Greatest Ever 100 year plus sporting organisation, the New Zealand All Blacks.
His book became a best seller in sports, in business, and in academia.
I reread it over this last weekend and I recommend it wholeheartedly as we face a world full of leadership challenges in 2021.
A rugby team has 15 players who work together to win – something we are all going to have to do in these turbulent times. Together we must overcome the virus, mental health challenges, social tensions, confrontational, purposeless politics, the recession, the widening income gap and unemployment. These 15 lessons are worth thinking about.
Here’s the topline list of the ‘What’.
Read Legacy for the ‘How’.
i) Sweep the Sheds
Never be too big to do the small things that need to be done.
ii) Go for the Gap
When you’re on top of your game, change your game.
iii) Play with Purpose
Ask ‘Why?’.
iv) Pass the Ball
Leaders create leaders.
v) Create a Learning Environment
Leaders are teachers.
vi) No Dickheads
Follow the spearhead.
vii) Embrace Expectations
Aim for the highest cloud.
viii) Train to Win
Practice under pressure.
ix) Keep a Blue Head
Control your attention.
x) Know Thyself
Keep it real.
xi) Sacrifice
Find something you would die for and give your life to it.
xii) Invent A Language
Sing your world into existence.
xiii) Ritualise to Actualise
Create a culture.
xiv) Be a Good Ancestor
Plant trees you’ll never see.
xv) Write Your Legacy
This is your time.
KR
