This is the 7th episode of a 9-part series on the 1924 New Zealand ‘All Blacks’ rugby team forever known as “The Invincibles”.
This series is both the telling of an epic story and an extraction of timeless lessons around shared identity, team culture and leadership.
In each episode I am joined by a guest who helps navigate the events that unfold, and sheds light on insights that have a contemporary significance.
In this 7th episode I’m joined by my friend Kane Williamson. Kane is statistically both New Zealand's greatest cricket captain, and also its greatest ever batsman.
This episode is called “The Code” and explores the team’s build up to the climatic test match against England:
- fatigue after test against Wales
- poignant visit on days off
- 3 games in 3 days ... but keep playing strongly
- meeting the King
- 4 days leave ... where players free range
- Christmas together in Deal, on the Kent coast
In this episode Kane and I traverse these events and explore in conversation:
- the role of ego
- creating lifelong experiences beyond the game
- revisiting Process vs Outcome
- what a truly inclusive culture looks like
- whether a culture code needs to be written down
- the hidden cost of being away from family for long periods
The visual version of this episode, including images of players and events mentioned, is available on YouTube here.