The Water Boy: Lessons in Leadership from Top International Rugby

Yesterday, I hosted a webinar, inviting over a hundred individuals whom I believed would both benefit from and add value to the ideas, concepts, and practices trending in the world of top international rugby. This event wasn't just aimed at rugby aficionados but also at leaders from various fields. Despite my efforts, only one person attended—a former colleague, a South African Afrikaner with whom I share a significant history.

Our journey together began in the business world, where we built one of the most successful supply chain companies in the province. Our clientele included blue-chip construction companies, and we had insurable risks, rock-solid systems, and back orders running in the hundreds of millions. However, our success was short-lived. A group of trusted individuals orchestrated a massive fraud, plundering our bank accounts and leaving our company in ruins. Overnight, we became pariahs, with unpaid staff and contractors and our careers in tatters.

Both of us grew up in apartheid South Africa and served in the Bush War, where I was trained in guerrilla warfare by Boer Commando commanders. We shared a common bond over rugby and the complex issues surrounding apartheid. Today, the term apartheid still echoes around the world, whether in politics or in the workplace, effectively meaning "separate." My PhD dissertation, titled "Apartheid and Inequality: Practices Going Beyond," delved into these issues, which are still prevalent today. The chasm and connection between the political,economic, social, and intellectual elite continues to widen, governed by class, tribe, and ideological divides, in a world increasingly characterized by bipartisanship.

The purpose of this article is to explore why the top two rugby teams in the world have evolved their winning ways and what lessons we can draw from their success.

The Leadership Puzzle

I have been pondering leadership, questioning why the top two rugby teams seem to have pulled away from the rest. This webinar and article are about my initial observations, not about claiming to know it all. The Irish rugby team is marginally ahead of the Springboks on paper. As a South African who lived in Ireland and received world-class education for myself and my children there, I hold biases for both teams. However, underlying these biases might be some closer truths.

I am perplexed by global and national political, social, and economic leadership. Penning my thoughts might provide insights into why sport, particularly rugby, might hold valuable lessons. South Africa's journey from apartheid to a multicultural, non-racist team under Nelson Mandela's iconic leadership is a remarkable story. This team, currently the uncontested world champions, offers opportunities to the most underprivileged, epitomized by their team captain's iconic status.

Leadership Lessons from the Rugby Field

Nelson Mandela once said, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."

This wisdom is evident in the Springboks' leadership and performance. Despite profound national issues like corruption, economic free fall, social problems, racial tensions, unemployment, and violent crime, the Springboks have managed to unify and excel.

Key takeaways from the World Cup performances of the Springboks and the Irish lie in the role of the waterboy and the ability to challenge the status quo. South Africa's director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, has embraced multiple roles, including coach and waterboy, while questioning refereeing decisions, despite facing sanctions from the IRB. His focus on refereeing quality and player safety, exemplified by incidents like the disallowed try due to an English player's shoulder tackle, highlights his commitment to fairness and improvement.

The Role of Diversity and Inclusion

The Springboks and the Irish teams embody the principles of diversity and inclusion. Their coaching staff comprises former international players and World Cup veterans, ensuring a depth of experience and understanding. Real-time communication on and off the field, the ability to challenge referees non-threateningly, and integrating former World Cup referees into the coaching staff are crucial elements of their success.

Both teams have leaders who communicate effectively, fostering a one-for-all, all-for-one approach. This ethos creates a healthier and more sustainable system, demonstrating that changing the game when you're winning can lead to continuous improvement and better dynamics.

Conclusion

The journey from apartheid to a unified team, the challenges faced in business and rugby, and the lessons from top international rugby teams offer profound insights into leadership. The principles of diversity, inclusion, effective communication, and challenging the status quo are not only applicable on the rugby field but also in broader contexts. As we navigate a world marked by divides and disparities, these lessons remind us that leadership is about uniting people, embracing diversity, and continuously striving for improvement.

The inquiry into why the top rugby teams succeed may have far-reaching implications for leadership in various fields. By learning from their strategies and ethos, we can create more inclusive, dynamic, and successful teams and organizations.