Captains with Sam Warburton

Seb Coe, a double Olympic gold medallist and President of World Athletics, shares his journey from politics to sports leadership, notably delivering the London 2012 Olympics. He discusses the importance of building teams with a shared vision and how leaders must create environments that encourage flourishing and challenge. Coe also reflects on dealing with criticism and emphasizes the need to ask 'why' instead of just 'how.' His insights on collaboration and empowering teams over micromanagement resonate strongly in today's leadership landscape.

Steph Houghton, the captain of Man City Women and former England skipper, shares her inspiring journey in women's football. She candidly discusses the heartbreak of missing the Lionesses' historic Euro 2022 win and the growth of the women's game. Houghton delves into the nuances of leadership, emphasizing emotional openness as a key trait. She also highlights the supportive culture at Manchester City and the importance of resilience and teamwork, drawing from her own experiences navigating injury and captaincy.

Sir Chris Hoy, Olympic icon with six gold medals and eleven World Championship titles, dives into the importance of visualization and mental resilience in sports. He shares his journey from flag bearer at the London 2012 Olympics to becoming a mentor, emphasizing patience and consistency in achieving success. Chris discusses applying cycling skills to life's challenges and the vital lessons of leadership he learned along the way. His insights on self-improvement over comparison offer valuable takeaways for anyone pursuing their goals.

Jonny Wilkinson, the iconic English rugby star and World Cup hero, shares his profound journey from intense competition to self-discovery. He discusses the toll of success on mental health and the importance of self-awareness in leadership. Reflecting on his transition to playing in France, he highlights how a relaxed environment fostered personal growth. The conversation dives into the complexities of team dynamics and the value of vulnerability among athletes, making it clear that understanding oneself is key to truly connecting with others.

Troy Deeney, Birmingham City captain and former Watford star, shares his journey from a tough upbringing to leadership in football. He discusses how his life experiences, including a prison sentence, shaped his approach to motivating teams during challenging times. Troy emphasizes the importance of respect, humility, and personal accountability in both sport and life. He also reflects on the duality of being a tough athlete while navigating vulnerability, revealing the significant role of mental health in leadership.

This week Sam is joined by professional cyclist and Ineos Grenadiers road captain Luke Rowe.Luke breaks down one of sport’s most misunderstood roles, highlighting the importance of communication and organisation with teammates while out on the road in high-pressure race conditions.Loyalty is a theme that runs throughout and Luke talks openly about how he dealt with the disappointment of being disqualified from the Tour de France in 2019.Use #CaptainsPod to get in touch with Sam on social media and make sure you follow our LinkedIn page by searching for ‘Captains with Sam Warburton’ for extra leadership tips. Email the show on captains@crowdnetwork.co.uk.Subscribe to Crowd Sports+ on Apple to join The Huddle and receive bonus content and ad-free episodes. You can also listen ad-free on Amazon Music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jamie Peacock, a Rugby League legend and former England captain, shares insights from his illustrious career. He emphasizes the importance of passion in leadership and staying true to your word. Peacock reflects on his transformative experiences at Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos, underlining the power of teamwork and resilience in sports. He also discusses how a passionate community rallies around friends in need, particularly in support of teammate Rob Burrow, showcasing the deep bonds forged through adversity.

This week Sam is joined by former England netball captain Serena Guthrie.A legend of the sport with over 100 caps to her name, Serena reflects on her leadership journey; from starting out aged 16 at Bath to leading England out at a home World Cup.Authenticity and honesty are key pillars to Serena’s captaincy style as well as being aware of the importance of leaving a positive legacy - there are plenty of useful lessons here that we can all learn from.Use #captainspod to get in touch with Sam on social media and make sure you follow our LinkedIn page by searching for ‘Captains with Sam Warburton’ for extra leadership tips. Email the show on captains@crowdnetwork.co.uk.Subscribe to Crowd Sports+ on Apple to join The Huddle and receive bonus content and ad-free episodes. You can also listen ad-free on Amazon Music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Advice for modern managers? Just win!Sam’s guest this week is one of the most respected names in football, Martin O’Neill. A European Cup winner as a player, he led Northern Ireland at the 1982 World Cup before winning trophies in England and Scotland as a manager.Martin reflects on how leadership – both captaincy and management – has evolved during his career and discusses what traits he looked for when appointing captains.He played for Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest and worked with Roy Keane with the Republic of Ireland, Martin is experienced in understanding how to bring the best out of people. Subscribe to Crowd Sports+ on Apple to join The Huddle and receive weekly bonus content and ad-free episodes. You can also listen ad-free on Amazon Music.Use #captainspod to get in touch with Sam on social media and make sure you follow our LinkedIn page by searching for ‘Captains with Sam Warburton’ for extra leadership tips. Email the show on captains@crowdnetwork.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kieran Read, a Rugby World Cup winner and former All Blacks captain, shares valuable insights into leadership. He discusses how a criminal psychologist aided him and his team in managing pressure. Kieran reflects on the deep emotional experiences tied to iconic rugby moments, including the trophy lift in the Lions series. He emphasizes the importance of cultural inclusion in building team chemistry and the significance of personal values in leadership, highlighting the balance between individual expression and collective spirit.