Wilcox & Barton, Inc.’s Post

“It can't be a poster on the wall.” When Sir Wayne Smith arrived at the Crusaders in 1997, he knew he wanted to run a vision-driven, values-based campaign. But, Smithy knew that a vision and set of values, alone, wasn’t enough. Here’s what ✨ really ✨ matters, as told by Wayne Smith: “The important thing about creating a vision-driven, values-based programme is it's got to be bone deep. It's got to be part of you, deep inside, for it to work. “It can't be a poster on the wall. You have to feed your culture, your identity. You have to feed it daily. It's gotta be a part of your everyday life. “Humility, pride, living what you say you're gonna live… you bring that all together, that's what makes a team. And if your whole team's living that you become a powerful force. “And so it's more than just rugby. It's how you're living, how you're perceived, how you treat others off the field and on the field. All those things are important. And the winning just becomes a byproduct. -- Like this? Follow for more leadership insights from the world’s most legendary rugby coaches and players.

Can care and high performance really coexist? Here’s Sir Wayne Smith’s take. Values like care are frequently viewed as optional ingredients for high performance.   Smithy has heard it before:   “Often people argue, ‘Yeah, I think it is important to create that sort of stuff, but we've got too much to do on the field without concentrating too much on that.’”    But in Smithy’s experience, care is not only essential, it comes first.   “It's those intangibles like care that help you actually be successful on the field.”   “If you're under pressure coming up to finals, for example, care for yourself, care for each other, care for community. If you do that, they're all sharing the pressure and then the pressure becomes a fraction.”   “It's often that that leads to winning rather than winning leading to that.” -- Like this? Follow for more leadership insights from the world’s most legendary rugby coaches and players. 

For Seattle football fans it was a week of significant finishes. First of course is the Monday night Husky football championship loss. And now there are many folks processing the ending of the Pete Carroll coaching era in Seattle. Beginnings and endings matter. If we think about it, we are always in a state of starting and finishing something. So the invitation is to show up in our present transition rather rush into the next thing. When I heard the news and listened to his farewell speech it was obvious, Pete Carroll knows how to show up in transition and finish well. Pete Carroll is widely viewed as a master coach. He created a unique culture that shaped young men by drawing out the special in each one. Whether a fan of football or not, Pete’s farewell speech is a valuable ten-minute watch. This seasoned man in late-life years alluded to the “sauce” of his players and the organization. Pete’s secret sauce was revealed when he said, “This league is about the players.” He goes on to call out his team leaders Bobby Wagner, Tyler Lockett and Geno Smith by name. What did he name specifically about how they contributed? These young team leaders kept him connected to former players, the many “souls” that had come through the program. As I listened to the others he named and their contribution the underlying Pete Carroll secret sauce became clear: Connection. If I was to sit down with Pete Carroll I would love to ask him more about that core value. I would like to ask him how he has seen personal connection give birth to hope, energy, commitment, hard work, accountability and loyalty. All values he has talked about with players and the press. I would like to know more about who saw him and how they drew out the special in the younger Pete. I don’t know if that opportunity will ever come but I am grateful for his example to Seattle-area coaches and fans alike. Two questions for further conversation:  1) What do you observe about Pete Carroll showing up in transition? 2) In what beginning-ending have you been invited to show up more fully? https://lnkd.in/eE-qVBC5

I often talk about, as a leader, the importance of GENUINELY caring for the people you are privileged to lead. There is a bigger stage at play here which Sir Wayne Smith touches on and is spot on. 🙏 to the Crusaders Leadership Programme™ for sharing. #leadership #servetolead #empathy ##highperformance ##highperformingteams

🚣♂️ Inspiration from the Waters: Leadership and Teamwork in “The Boys in the Boat” 🚣♂️ Just finished watching “The Boys in the Boat,” a film that not only showcases the power of determination and resilience but also encapsulates the essence of teamwork and leadership against the backdrop of the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Based on true events; how nine working-class American boys formed a rowing team that challenged the elite teams, embodying the spirit of unity and collective effort. Their collaboration teaches us important lessons about overcoming challenges, working together, and leading humbly. As professionals, we often find ourselves in situations that demand not just individual excellence but the ability to pull together as a team to navigate challenges. The movie serves as a powerful reminder that the strength of a team lies not in the prowess of individuals but in their capacity to unite toward a common goal. Great achievements are often the result of collective endeavor. It prompts us to reflect on our own team dynamics and the role of leadership in fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. Ends with this conversation: - Did you like rowing eight men crew? - Eight men? - We were never eight. We were one!!! Have you watched “The Boys in the Boat”? What were your takeaways on teamwork and leadership? Would love to hear your thoughts! #Teamwork #Leadership #Inspiration #TheBoysInTheBoat #professionalgrowth

1-2-3 Video/Connect: “Coach Carroll” Each week, I send my team one short video to watch, two quotes to consider, and three questions to reflect on. Here’s the 1-2-3 for this week: 📺 1 VIDEO Watch Pete Carroll communicate, encourage, and lead his team earlier this season: https://lnkd.in/eBk9UNmm 📢 2 QUOTES “The thing that always strikes me is how much power one person has. Everybody has so much power to help and to change if they just exercise it and get after it.” -Pete Carroll “Leadership isn't about being in charge; it's about taking care of those in your charge.” -Pete Carroll 🤔 3 QUESTIONS We usually think the job of a coach is to call the plays, but this video emphasizes the way he relates with others. I counted about 5 compliments and cheers to every 1 challenge or constructive feedback.  1️⃣ Would you be willing to try a 5:1 ratio with your co-workers or family today?  2️⃣ How often does fear of being awkward hold you back from speaking up with a compliment or crucial feedback?  3️⃣ Do you think Pete is just “naturally gifted” at coaching and engaging like this, or is it something that can be learned by anyone? 

A friend shared this true story from the world of sports car racing. In this race, 3rd and 4th place earned $25k each, the 1st place took home $180k, and 2nd place? Nothing. But in racing, it's NOT JUST about winning. Teams are like family, and while the drivers may appear to be the stars, they know their success is built on trust, effort, and mutual respect—even among competitors, who are often friends. In this case, the 4 finalists made a pact: no one would leave empty-handed. The winner agreed to share half the prize with the runner-up, so both walked away with $90k. This act of unity brought out the best in all of them. True greatness thrives not in isolation but in cooperation—where the best challenge the best, and pure potential rises to the top. What could happen if we all chose to lift each other up instead of going it alone? June Carter. #leadership #motivation #collaboration #teamwork #professionaldevelopment #networking #leadershipdevelopment #seniorleadership #strategicleadership #executivecoaching #ceocoaching

From a chance meeting with Michael Jordan in 1995 to now. Al Preble shares the main highlights of what he's learned about the power of real teamwork. ✅ Teams that challenge each other's thinking to raise their collective intelligence win every time. ✅ Most teams aren't at their potential despite decades of advice on teamwork. ✅ The number one reason teams tell me they struggle is that they don't know how to challenge one another to ensure the best ideas win respectfully. https://lnkd.in/eUXh5Mdm #teamwork #leadership #impactleadership

Watching our Men's Basketball Team (and a shout-out to the incredible Women’s Team as well) take home the gold against France was a masterclass in teamwork. What stood out to me most was how they put their egos aside, embraced their roles, and constantly lifted each other up. Devin Booker, in particular, was a Swiss Army knife on that court—willing to do whatever it took to maintain balance on both ends of the floor. He wasn’t always the #1 option, but he didn’t let that deter him. Instead, he thrived in his role, contributing where it mattered most. At work and in life, we can sometimes feel discouraged if we’re not the go-to person or if we don’t have all the skills. But there’s immense value in being content with your position and doing everything you can for your team. Whether you believe it or not, someone notices the effort. Let's all strive to be the glue that holds the team together, just like Booker. It’s not about being the star; it’s about making the team better, one play at a time. #Teamwork #Leadership #NoEgo

Check out this fantastic article about the fantastic Emily Husband, head coach of the Central Coast Mariners Football Club Women's A-Leagues. Emily's passion and knowledge of football, combined with her leadership skills, have allowed her to build and form a team from scratch. Now, that same team is thriving under her guidance. Her career journey is a great story for coaches and leaders in both sports and business. Read more about her inspiring path in this article. #womeninleadership #femalecoaches #footballcoaching #leadershiplessons