The Power of Four: Building a Dream Team with Four Unique Leaders

Eddie Jones, one of rugby’s most respected coaches, has always understood the importance of assembling a winning team—not just on the field but behind the scenes as well. In a recent podcast discussion, Jones outlined his ideal management team formula, a notion that is as relevant to the boardroom as it is to the rugby pitch. It’s a simple yet powerful idea: bring together individuals with distinct and complementary strengths to create a dynamic and effective team.

Imagine a business setting. You need leaders who each play a specific role, starting with the person of character. This individual is the moral compass, the one who upholds the organisation’s values and ensures that everyone else does too. In rugby, this person would be the teammate who sets standards and ensures they’re met. In business, they’re the leader others turn to for integrity and trust. They’re resilient, unshakeable under pressure, and not afraid to hold others accountable. They lead by example, inspiring cultural change through their actions rather than just words.

Then there’s the analytical thinker, the data-driven strategist who dissects information and finds patterns where others see noise. This person thrives on numbers, trends, and insights—the type of mind that looks at a business problem and immediately identifies a solution rooted in evidence. Much like a rugby analyst who reviews game footage to spot weaknesses and opportunities, this individual sifts through data to guide strategic decisions. Their ability to challenge assumptions and make calculated moves can be the difference between success and failure.

Of course, no team is complete without the people person—the relationship builder who brings empathy, communication, and connection to the table. In rugby, they nurture team spirit and harmony, ensuring everyone feels valued and included. In the business world, they create a positive, collaborative environment. This is the leader who knows how to handle conflict gracefully, resolve issues before they escalate, and keep team morale high. They’re the glue that holds everything together, making sure the team operates as a cohesive unit.

Finally, there’s the wild card—the one Jones describes as “a bit different.” This person is the creative thinker, the risk-taker who pushes boundaries and challenges the status quo. They’re the source of innovation, the ones who come up with ideas others might dismiss as too unconventional. But it’s often these very ideas that spark breakthroughs. Whether it’s a new marketing strategy or an entirely fresh product concept, the wild card sees possibilities that others might miss. They keep the team from falling into groupthink and bring a fresh perspective to every challenge.

When you bring these four roles together—character, analytical, people-focused, and wild card—you create a management team that’s balanced and dynamic. Each member brings something unique to the table, and together, they cover all the bases. The character person grounds the team; the analyst sharpens the strategy; the people person fosters connection; and the wild card drives innovation. It’s a synergy that can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

In rugby, as in business, it’s the diversity of skills and perspectives that creates greatness. Eddie Jones’s formula is a reminder that no single person can do it all. Success comes from recognising individual strengths and intertwining them into a cohesive whole. Whether you’re leading a rugby squad or a corporate team, this lesson is universal: build the right team, and the possibilities are endless.

Written by Izzy McHattie, EP Business in Hospitality