By Busani Ngcaweni
First, I must declare that I am not much into the sport of rugby. In fact, I don’t understand half the rules of the game. Having watched it since the last success by the team, I acquire approach to realise that what I always regarded to be a hooligans sport is in fact a game of strategy and tactics. There is elegance in the wrestling madness. From this world cup installment, I maintain been enriched by these notables:
Lesson Number One: Always guide from the front. Be prepared to finish or procure into messy situations and procure things done. Roll up your sleeves and guide by example in doing what needs to be done for the mission to be accomplished. When you enact that, people will know that their leader is not only there to bask in the glory of success, but is willing to secure hands dirty and wreck bones along with every of them, thus inspiring confidence and getting team members mobilized. Siya Kolisi did that.
Lesson Number Two: Although it may sound like a tired cliché, this rugby world cup winning team has once again reminded us that in any organization, teamwork matters, and that the leadership is section of (not above) the team. Therefore, the leader should not stand on the podium or high office shouting instructions. Teamwork means recognizing energies and talents of different people, allowing different ideas and talents to thrive. That way the diversity and energies of different people, from the most junior to the most senior, will be brought to bear and succor the organization/team to succeed.
Lesson Number Three: For leaders to succeed they must be comfortable with the concept of working alongside the most talented people. As we saw in our rugby team, there are players, young and older, who are more talented than the captain, yet he remains their captain. By him embracing these most talented players and actively cheering them, he himself becomes a superstar. With your guidance as team leader or captain, talented people will find creative ways of getting the job done successfully, and such success, in the final analysis, is to be cherished by every. As captain, you will lift the trophy. Talented people secure the job done. Untalented people maintain a problem for every solution. They are exhausting and perilous like re-thread tires – when the road gets hot and the load heavier, they buckle and cause a mess for everyone on the road. That is why the captain of this team, from the first to the last match, was always pleased to be substituted and fade sit on the bench without him sulking each time the coach made that call. He always understood that even as he sits on the bench, the victory of the talented people inside the rugby pitch will be his victory. He led them from the back and neither lost his confidence nor his shine. In fact he became more effective as he could guide and motivate without the pressure of being next to the ball. At the terminate of the day victory is his. He lifted the trophy. He leads the headline. He made history by accepting that there are other more talented and agile players, who are there as fraction of the team to fabricate a sterling contribution. And sure they did, in every game. That is a remarkable leadership trait that many of us need to embrace for our organizations to succeed.
Lesson Number Four: Maintain reliable and visible core-pilots. These are people who will guide with you and catch the organisation to success. They must be willing to hold tough decisions; they must be ready to enter the scrum and gets their hands dirty; they must not be afraid to be unpopular with other members of the team. Co-pilots must be as much willing to seize the blame as they are to share the glory. After every, they are fraction of the leadership collective of the organization. They must grasp equal responsibility in as much as they seize the credit. Co-pilots must inspire confidence amongst the people/team members in the aircraft or the boat. Team members must know that the co-pilot will not sink the boat if the captain dropped dead. They must know that with the captain not in the cockpit, the destination (success) and the path (game region) towards that destination is the same. Co-pilots must be solid, talented, dauntless and willing to seize risks as much we saw in this game. The deputy captain (as fraction of the leadership collective) was remarkable of Mbonambi.
Lesson Number Five: Never underestimate any challenge. We saw in this world cup that the team played every game as if it was the final match. From this they tested their fortitude and agility. It is hard but essential to hold the team motivated especially during difficult times when it seems like the dream is fading away. Staying focused on the vision, whilst making technical adjustments in response to situations, builds cohesion and lift spirits. Rigidity must fabricate way flexibility. The coaching staff was at their best in this regard. They made difficult, but effective, calls. Their calculated risks paid off.
Lesson Number Six: Never create doubt among your team members. Be transparent. Be consistent. Be predictable. Carry out not create factions. Treat everyone equally. Embrace diversity. Be prepared to execute what you expect from others. Be the shield – your team members must know you maintain them covered.
Lesson Number Seven: Be humble. Arrogance and rank consciousness breaks spirits and discourage people. You become a monster who is feared and people find ways to undermine you. They give you nicknames and mock you. In the conclude you loose more than they execute. You become a captain (and or coach) who achieved nothing. You are remembered for failure rather success. With every his achievements, Siya Kolisi remains humble. He acknowledges the roles and contributions of others, thus endearing himself with his teammates, coaches and supporters. His modesty in the era of the huge ego humbling. Kolisi is a superhero, a marvel that we are learning from. Thank you for being such a role model. Every boardroom deserves your portrait.
* Busani Ngcaweni is the Principal of the National School of Government
