A bunch of Kiwis doing Kiwi things (Image-Mykhel.com)

'New Zealand (NZ) has not won a test match in India in 36 years.'

'India is unbeaten at home for the last 12 years totaling 18 series.'

It seems everyone except the Kiwis got this memo as they went about registering their maiden test series win over India, in 69 years.

While this article references the latest watershed moment in international Test Cricket and there is ample usage of #cricket terminology and instances, the focus of this article is about the leadership lessons that one can draw from the feat achieved by the NZ Cricket's Test Team, and its application in business and life beyond the 22 yards.

1. All statistics have Outliers: The Black Caps were not overawed by their opponent's #data of 18 series wins, unbeaten home run, 36 years record etc. thrown at them. They did not let it impact their own game. In business too, one's opponent may be formidable and have an envious track record but that shouldn't deter oneself from their game plan.
2. The Past, is essentially past: Coming straight after losing to Sri Lanka, missing out on their numero uno test batter -Kane Williamson - not having their most successful bowler against India - Trent Boult - in the squad, none of these disadvantages dismayed them. Demonstrating 'what's done is done and let's make the most of what we have' is as desirable an attitude in the game's dressing room as it is in the corporate #boardrooms.
3. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step, and then the next one: The Black Caps were not overwhelmed by the enormity of the task at hand. They took it each game at a time, then each day at a time and finally applied themselves to each session. While leading a big or high-stakes project, the burden of outcome tends to weigh one down. However breaking it down into mini-targets and achieving those?micro-milestones makes the journey less daunting.
4. Neither the strongest nor the most intelligent of a species survive, but the most adaptable: In Tom Latham's captaincy, one could see a flexible and fluid style of #leadership. He's not 'in-your-face' kind of captain and mostly led his men from behind. When the occasion demanded, he was equally at ease leading from the front. The Captain's Knock of 86 on the MCA pitch in Pune set the tenor for the rest of the team to follow. The most sought-after style of leadership by recruiters in contemporary times is #adaptive leadership - the leadership of adaptability.
5. The function of leadership is to create more leaders, not more followers: Not only did the Black Caps have a good 'thinking-on-your-feet' leader in Tom Latham but also new leaders emerged, each time they found themselves in a pickle. Matt Henry and William O'Rourke were the wreckers-in-chief with the new ball while Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee made their bats talk in the first Test. The Chief Swinger of the Ball - Matt Henry - was ruled out in the second Test. However, Mitchell Santner took on the wreckage duties this time around and lent support to Conway & Ravindra with the Bat, too. Glen Phillips and Tom Blundell chimed in, during the second Test. In the third test, destroyer-in-chief, Mitchell Santner was sitting outside and Ajaz Patel found his mojo with the turning ball. Daryll Mitchell, fighting the elements in a gritty knock, and Will Young batted their team to safety. Outside of a game of play as well, it's not only the anointed leader who has all the answers. The heroes of today may not succeed tomorrow. Each day, each circumstance requires new heroes. Situational leadership is another desirous trait in a team.
6. Offence is not (always) the best form of Defense: The trilogy of batting collapses on the Indian side happened when they were trying to charge or display 'intent' without a correct reading of the pitch and the opposition. The match-winning Kiwi partnerships that carried through to fruition happened while demonstrating a solid defense. You can pinch-hit your way for a short period (IPL/T20 format) but the same strategy boomerangs if used in the long-run (Test cricket). There are no shortcuts to finding success consistently without going through the grind. There are no hacks to practice and training - whether in the field of work or in the playfield. One needs to invest time and energy in learning and honing the tools of the trade rather than tricks of the trade.
7. An iron-fist in a velvet glove: The Black Caps game strategy was quite aggressive yet no outward signs of aggression could be detected. The aggression was only in the game (tight fields that they set up for Indian batters; denying singles, bowling maiden overs, run-outs etc) but there was not even a hint of aggression in their behaviour, speech or mannerisms. Employing this approach in workplaces makes the manager more approachable and humane. ?
8. A cameo can pave the way for a lead role: Player of the series, Will Young, found himself in the squad to fill-in for an injured Kane Williamson. His role was of a reserve batter. He went on to become the third leading run scorer of the series. He hit the winning runs in the first test and he took the catch to dismiss Jadeja to seal the third test win. He has planted his foot, firm and square, in his team's test side. Will young's tale is inspirational for all interns, trainees, and those in contractual employ, that with hard work one can cement their position in the team / organization. ?
9. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts: Hailing from a country that has a population of 5 million, at the far end of the pacific ocean, the Kiwis have been punching above their weight consistently. They are encouraged to be skilled at more than one thing. The current Test team boasts of 4 keeper-batters in Latham, Conway, Phillips & Blundell. Their lead batters (Phillips, Ravindra, Daryll Mitchell) are bowlers too. Their lead bowlers can wield the willow and beget runs. Southee has hit more sixes than Sehwag and Santner is quite handy with the bat too. That said, the team's talent, on paper, is nowhere close to the star studded aura of the Indian team. Yet, they have done what no other visiting team has been able to do. Beat this team of match-winning greats thrice over. One of the biggest lessons from the Black Caps whitewash is how to harness and leverage the full strength of a team sport. For a team to excel each member has to excel and every member's contribution once added up exceeds the individual contributions. When every cog of the wheel works in unison, that's when magic happens.
10. David can win over Goliath - The Kiwis only only looked at but also dared to climb the mountain facing them.?Their travails of last three weeks should serve as a story of hope for every minnow, every underdog that David can prevail over Goliath - in sport and in life.

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