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Rugby legend Steve Hansen joins us to unravel the secrets of building an unbreakable team culture. Discover how the invisible thread of shared values can bind not just sports teams but businesses and families too. Steve shares his philosophy that team priorities should always come first, offering practical insights on fostering open dialogue and making tough decisions when individual goals clash with the collective vision. Through his experiences, we learn the importance of living these values consistently from the top down.

We take a closer look at the distinction between expectations and culture within organizations, shedding light on how culture nurtures communication, safety, and mutual respect. This episode also highlights measurable aspects of culture—like punctuality and pride in work—and how they signal the health of an environment. Steve's perspectives on cultural dynamics in Japan serve as a fascinating case study, illustrating the delicate balance between tradition and progress and emphasizing the significance of subtle, respectful change.

Egos and leadership take center stage as we explore their complex relationship. Steve offers a candid look at how ego, when managed well, can fuel passion and focus but warns against it becoming a barrier to personal growth. We dive into the essence of authentic leadership, where emotional intelligence and adaptability are key. Steve's anecdotes underscore the importance of a leader's honesty and authenticity, framing success as helping others reach their goals and celebrating their achievements, creating a truly rewarding team atmosphere. Join us for an insightful conversation on mastering ego, adaptability, and leadership success.

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What if the key to a thriving sports team lies not just in strategy, but in deeply understanding its cultural fabric? Join us as we sit down with the legendary coach Eddie Jones, who unpacks the essence of culture and leadership in sports. Eddie shares captivating stories from his coaching journey at Leicester, with the Springboks, and the Japanese team, illustrating how recognizing and respecting a team's core cultural values can lead to remarkable growth. Discover how authenticity and player feedback reveal not only individual strengths but also the deeper values that drive team success.

As societal norms evolve, so too must coaching strategies. Our conversation with Eddie delves into how shifts from team-oriented to individualistic approaches, especially in places like Japan and Australia, challenge traditional coaching methods. We explore how coaches can adapt to these new dynamics by "walking the floor" to understand team chemistry and identify emerging leaders. Eddie's insights into delegating responsibilities within larger squads underscore the importance of multiple voices in reinforcing team culture, while contrasting motivations of past national pride with today's focus on unity through the sport itself.

Leadership and belief are at the heart of Eddie’s coaching philosophy. Drawing parallels to business strategies, he discusses the relentless drive required for success, illustrated by experiences with Suntory and the Japanese team. We examine the role of fear in leadership and its ability to command respect, much like parenting. The art of giving constructive feedback without breeding resentment is another key theme, emphasizing the need for understanding individual player needs and fostering a sense of belonging. Eddie’s candid anecdotes and strategies offer a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to excel in coaching and leadership.

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I’m Ben Herring, and I want to welcome you to Coaching Culture with Ben Herring. If you’re looking to sharpen your coaching craft by exploring more than just drills and tactics, you’ve come to the right place.

Coaching Culture is your weekly deep-dive into the often-overlooked “softer skills” of coaching—cultural innovation, communication, empathy, leadership, and motivation. Each episode features candid conversations with the world’s top international rugby coaches, who share the personal stories and intangible insights behind their winning cultures, and their biggest failures and what they learnt from them. This is where X’s and O’s meet heart and soul.

If you believe that the real gold in rugby lies beyond the scoreboard, Coaching Culture is the podcast for you.

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