Legacy

The New Zealand All Blacks are the most successful rugby team in history. They have a win rate of 86%. What is their secret and can, we in business, learn from them? How do they do it? The book Legacy describes 15 lessons for leaders and businesses. These 15 principles have been applied in business contexts with great success. The first principle is character. Never be too big to sweep the shed, because it is a key component of building sustainable competitive advantage through cultural cohesion. True excellence begins with the humble willingness to “sweep the shed”. It leads to innovation, increased self-knowledge, and greater character. Leaders use vivid storytelling techniques to create a sense of inclusion, connectedness and unity – a truly collective, collaborative mind-set. In this way, Leaders create Leaders. Leaders are teachers and create a learning environment. They tell great, vivid, epic stories of what is possible to themselves and their teams. Authenticity is the mark of a true Leader, and it begins with honesty and integrity. Leaders plant trees they may never see blossom, as they see and act on things that nobody sees or asks for. It is all about the team, as better people make better Leaders. There are great players who show they are great players by being able to play with others as a team. Rudyard Kipling once remarked:

“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack”