The Springbok’s mantra the ‘Main Thing’ inspired them to win the Rugby World Cup. This case study could help to transform your leadership perspective.
The Springboks’ journey to back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories is an inspirational story of hope against all odds, of authentic leadership and humility, and of self-belief and dreams coming true on a world stage for the
nation’s first truly diverse Springbok team.
Eighteen months before the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the Springboks ranked number seven in the world and had suffered some of their worst losses in their history. Based on the results, this was perhaps the worst side ever to represent South Africa at a World Cup. Back then, what Rassie Erasmus and Siya Kolisi achieved in Japan seemed a certain impossibility. And today, we can consider it one of the greatest turnarounds the rugby world has ever seen.
In this case study, we explore the good decisions made by the Springboks’ leaders and see how those decisions led to historic moments for the nation. We unpack the high-performance habits and self-belief that shaped the Springboks’ identity and ask: What inspirational leadership behaviours stirred up this miracle of high performance?
The Coach, The Captain and two business
models for Inspirational Leadership
It is often assumed that the ability to inspire is innate, but it isn’t. It can, in fact, be developed. We explore the authentic relationship between Coach and Captain, their approaches to diversity and inclusion, and we see how they influenced the team’s ability to perform to expectation. Notice how the concepts of alignment and ownership emerge as we learn how these inspirational leaders adjusted their thinking, decisions and actions in agile, creative and positive ways.
“Kolisi employed a unique leadership style of inclusivity. While that selfless approach earned him the buy-in of his teammates, it also gave him the backing of the country’s rugby public” – Lloyd Burnard
Ignite Team and Leadership Conversations
How might we identify the habits that will help us inspire and shape a new identity for high performance?
What inspirational leadership behaviours should you enlarge? Which existing behaviours should you let go of?
How are you ‘leaning in’ to understand what your people need from you right now? What role does self-belief play in high performance?
We all know stories where each individual is better for having someone by their side (where each is enlarged by the other). We ask: Who are we enlarging? Who is enlarging us?
How might you view diversity and inclusion as a lever for high performance?
Format and Approach
Engage your teams in a multimedia, facilitator-led conversation on Zoom, supported with interactive moderated conversations in breakout rooms (hosted by our team of Pod Coaches).
Duration
This case study is available in a 90-minute or 180-minute online (Zoom) format.
How does it work?
Contact us to let us know that you want LRMG to share this case study with your team
We will work with you to design or customise key conversation and reflection questions
Participants will get a link to a pre-case study primer to complete prior to the presentation and conversation
Your team will receive our Inspirational Leadership Toolkit as a take-away to ignite further learning and reflection
“Kolisi employed a unique leadership style of inclusivity. While that selfless approach earned him the buy-in of his team mates, it also gave him the backing of the country’s rugby public.” – Lloyd Burnard