James Kerr authored Legacy, a brilliant examination of the All-Blacks rugby dynasty. Whakapapa reflects the vitality of ancestry, honoring those who came before us. During the Online Coaches Clinic, Kerr shared his experience with those who wear the Black Jersay and Silver Leaf.
Performance = CAPABILITY x BEHAVIOR
Players have a mystical respect for the jersey. The jersey is sacred, never touches the floor. "Nobody is bigger than the jersey."
Core values include humility, excellence, and respect. Humility is part of Whakapapa as everyone owes a tribute to those before us. Like the UNC Women's Soccer dynasty, the All-Blacks celebrate excellence without agenda. And respect belongs to both opponents and to each other. "Everyone has a voice" and participates.
After a hard-fought game, post-game treatment, and gathering, everyone grabs a long-handled broom. Everyone sweeps the sheds. Part of the mystique is leaving the sheds, the locker room, and the jersey in a better place.
Management came together in 2004 after key losses, understanding the program needed a reboot. They felt some had lost touch with their past. They built a campaign around a slogan, "Better people make better All Blacks." The coaching emphasized not just skills and togetherness but character.
Kerr reminds us, "the stories we tell ourselves become the stories others tell about us." Our beliefs translate to our actions. Unit cohesion and character lie in performing the small things at a high level.
Like the Navy SEALs, the All-Blacks practice that "Leaders create leaders." And just as "garbage in makes garbage out," so "Quality in equals quality out." Manager Wayne Smith remarked, "People will rise to a challenge if they believe it’s their challenge."
Unity demands sacrifice. "Empowering others means relinquishing your own power."
Kerr references other organizations he studied. The 49ers' Bill Walsh preached, "The score takes care of itself" when standards define your mark. England's SAS owned "May the best idea win." The Patriots have "The Patriot Way" built around "do your job." And the Spurs ask, "how can I make my teammates better?"
Another All Black motto is, "Stab me in the belly not the back." They are unafraid to ask,
"What’s your commitment to the team?"
They borrow Charlie Munger's Inversion theme. They posit poor leadership, bad communication, a lack of development, and organization and work to nullify any of those destructive behaviors.
My belief about teams is that as coach, "I don’t decide your commitment, your learning, or your progress, you do." When you excel, take credit, but share it with your teammates.
Summary:
- Performance = Capability x Behavior
- Nobody is bigger than the jersey.
- Practice humility, excellence, and respect for opponents and teammates.
- People will rise to a challenge when they believe it's their challenge.
- Learn and steal from other elite organizations.
- Empowering others means relinquishing your power.
Lagniappe: Two drills from Online Coaches Clinic
Offensive pivot development
Closeouts 2 on 2
