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Whether you’re in the business of building and growing a business, a school's reputation for excellence or a trades business, Leadership skills are key to organising teams towards a goal.

When that goal is winning the Rugby World Cup, Super 8, 1A Conference, SIBSN 1st XV Competition Title or the Hine Pounamu Trophy, there is dedication, process, communication and teamwork.

In this episode, we're joined by former Captain of the All Blacks Kieran Read and five Captains from First XV's around New Zealand -

• Jonty Leary- Christchurch Boys High School 
• Amelia Hancock- Christchurch Girls High School
• James Olds - Whanganui Collegiate 
• Taylah Seng - Manukura Girls
• Malina Leatherby-Millar – Vice Captain - Manukura Girls

There is so much that is covered in the discussion, some of the takeways we think you'll get from the discussion:

• Leading teams effectively both on and off the field - across the board, it was clear how much effort both Kieran and the Captains put in to getting to know their teammates. This has a direct impact on how they're able to call on them and work together in pressure moments
• Strategies for building a lasting and positive team culture - as senior players, everyone took time to look after the juniors. You can feel when people aren't having fun and that's an important time to regroup
• The critical role of process and technical skills in achieving long-term goals - taking time to work on technical skills early on to develop a foundation is critical
• Navigating adversity, including bouncing back from losses and managing injuries - across the Rugby World Cup 2015 Campaign, Kieran referenced "the new wave". After each win or mistake, looking at the next opportunity as a new wave helped the team stay grounded and focused on the actions of the day
• Balancing individual personal preparation with the ability to adapt mid-game - in sport, we often have moments where momentum builds up for the opposition. The same is true in business and in the Education space. All players talked about what they do to centre themselves for those moments.

Finally, for our listeners who want to grow, inspire, and build a winning culture, be sure to visit kieranread.co.nz. Kieran offers incredible one-on-one coaching, leadership courses, and high-performance workshops that bridge the gap between elite sports and the realities of the workplace.