The Origins of Greatness

Describing people, teams, and organizations as 'great' abuses the word. But rarely 'great' (as in the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team) understates performance. They have won over 86 percent of their games. They dominate their sport. 

How do they do it? I've highlighted excerpts from Ash Smith's article: 

HUMILITY AND OPENNESS

Wayne Smith, the All Blacks assistant coach says "Exceptional results demand exceptional circumstances". The All Black culture of humility and openness allows them to keep reinventing themselves in the face of new challenges, whilst never losing sight of their binding vision - to be the best. 

CHARACTER OVER TALENT

In 2004 the All Blacks management team and senior players came together to try to put in place the foundations for sustainable All Black success. 

"Better people make better All Blacks"

As a team they identify the values and behaviours that are expected of an All Black, their "what it takes to win model" and cultivate those values and behaviours in every aspect of what they do. 

VISION AND PURPOSE - AIM BIG

They had bigger ambitions - "To play the best rugby the world has ever seen played." It is an almost impossible goal, but not completely. 

"Set goals so big that you feel uncomfortable telling small minded people"

It all points to the All Black legacy - "To leave the jersey in a better place"

LEADERSHIP

Former coach Graeme Henry - "The management always felt we had to transfer the leadership from the senior managers to the players... to play the game you need leadership on the field."

SO WHAT?

Have a clear and communicated vision for where you want to get to. Develop clarity of purpose (your why) and have the team share in the passion of this purpose.  Empower your people...ask the question - "What more can we do to be the best?"

Exceptional teams require exceptional commitment, exceptional consistency, and exceptional persistence.