WALES NUMBER 1 IN THE WORLD...….luck or not?

Wow.....I would never have thought this could have ever been achieved as a young lad in the 90’s being brought up on mediocre Wales performances. With not taking anything from any international player in this period, but it was more a surprise to win that it was to lose. So what happened and how did it happen, well this is my take on where the Welsh team have gone over the past 20 years and the leadership traits from Gatland that has led to this momentous achievement.

In 1998 Graham Henry took over the reigns and brought with it a new age of management and mindset, of which I feel we are seeing the results today. Henry was the main instigator of the mighty All Blacks winning the world cup in 2011 for the first time since 1987 and developed a culture in the country that has made them the team they are today. They now have a win rate of over 86%, of which is the best in any sport. But this being said Wales today took over New Zealand in the World IRB rankings for the first time ever, but how has this happened and how influenced was this by Warren Gatland. My view he’s been Massive and here’s how.

Warren is a proven and born Leader and oozes class in this area and has several main strengths that have shone out above all strengths. These are in my opinion

Decision Maker

Takes 100 per cent accountability on making decisions and stands by these. A key leader makes the hard calls and makes them quickly and efficiently but changes his mind slowly. A prime example of this is when he dropped Mike Phillips on his 94th cap and not giving him 100 caps. Tough call but stood by it and Mike did not play for Wales again.

Clear Vision

Crucial to his success. Every time Wales have won a Grand slam Warren Gatland called it every time. He visualised the team winning it and mapped out how they were to do it. The performances were at times not the best, but we won all games every time and put Wales on the highest cloud for weeks. Winning 4 Six Nations Championships and 3 Grand Slams- wow what an achievement.

Lining up Arrows

He has got everyone in the team going in the same direction and understanding where Wales needed to be and how they were going to get there.

Vision drives

Leadership which drives

Culture which drives

Performance which creates

LEGACY

All reading off the same page has been a major part in the success of the team.

Identifying all Issues

Warren Gatland came into a near broken team and a team with bad habits from drinking too much to not respecting the badge or the jersey. This has been fully rectified and sorted and the players respect the badge and the teammates when they are playing. The senior management team are so tight and strong that it has allowed the players to grow in a very consistent and familiar environment. Once he identified the issues, he could then identify and address with key people and then get them sorted and move forward. This is so evident as we speak with some awesome performances winning 14 in a row (Before Twickenham last week, but after today’s win is a distant memory)).

Straight Talking and a Blue Head

Tells it straight and there isn’t much grey area with Gatland. He manages his team with Truth and Honesty at the forefront of his leadership style. This again oozes from his personality and his conferences that he puts himself through as media is massive for this level of coaching, of which he handles with a blue head. The main feedback from players in the 12 years he’s been at the helm is that you know where you are with him. Again, in my opinion is a major strength for a leader to have so there is no grey area and total clarity on direction.

Born Winner

He’s a born winner and hates to lose. As a leader you need to lead from the front with winning a key trait to have to drive success and growth for both the organisation and individuals. Also advocating that you must demand more from yourself and the if you do this daily then the team will do better too. 

Great Leadership Team

They say you are only as strong as your team, he has had a cracker. With Howley, McBride, Jenkins and Edwards all being with him for the majority if not all of his reign shows his planning and team development. This has had a major part to play with getting to number 1 and he nurtures this team bond. Amazing!!

Team Player

As shown in his media professionalism, he has protected players that have taken stick from the papers or social media. A really funny and amusing example of this was today when he commented on Dan Biggar having a great game and JJ Williams comments were total rubbish- he said

"He (Biggar) needed to play at 10 because he’s been coming off the bench and we’ve been starting with Anscombe," explained Gatland. "I thought he was really good today.

"I don’t know about that former Welsh player. Was he really old? Did he play in the 70s?

"Did he play 50 years ago? Probably. That does explain a few things."

Priceless!!!!

Summary

What an amazing Leader Gatland has been and will continue on being until the end and with the Lions. Wales have developed over the past 12 years under him and we owe him 3 Grand Slams and 4 Six Nations Championship. Its been an amazing 12 year journey and I for one will be gutted when it comes to an end.

But from myself and anyone who’s Welsh

THANK YOU and BRING BACK THE GOLD FROM JAPAN!!!!

….DROP THE MIC…….

• Six Nations Championship
• Winners: 2008, 2012, 2013, 2019
• Runners-up: 2016, 2018
• Third: 2014, 2015
• Grand Slam
• Winners: 2008, 2012, 2019
• Triple Crown
• Winners: 2008, 2012, 2019
• James Bevan Trophy
• Winners: 2008, Nov 2018
• Prince William Cup
• Winners: November 2014, 2016, 2017, June 2018, November 2018
• Doddie Weir Cup
• Winners: November 2018, March 2019