This was one of the best books on culture that I have read – probably the best. I was already intrigued because of the sports aspect of it but once I read it and the overlying theme of culture, it confirmed many of the things I do and believe in. The rugby program in New Zealand focused on a culture of development that truly made it where they had a winning organization. And the author deliberately ties this to the real world including business. He states that business people should practice too like the team. They should analyze the day to keep getting better. Excellent firms focus on constant improvement and change. And when the environment is dedicated to learning, the score takes care of itself. I would recommend this book for any leader that has teams or divisions to help build a strong winning culture. It’s also great for aspiring leaders that want to help with things in their individual roles and a head start when they move into leadership.

Here are some of my nuggets:

• Character trumps talent
• Only be knowing yourself, you can become a great leader
• Create a culture of asking questions
• Change is necessary
• Changing when you are at the top of your game
• Better people make better teams
• Leaders create leaders
• Leaders are teachers; create a learning environment
• Success is modest improvement consistently done
• The best players in the world practice more than they play
• Consistent preparation and practice
• Excellence is execution of cumulative learning and incremental improvement
• Structure follows strategy
• Leaders are learners
• Strength of the wolf is the pack
• A player that makes others great is better than a great player
• Few have the will to prepare to win vs the will to win
• Train to win; practice under pressure
• Bad decisions happen because the inability to handle pressure
• Mantras are maps
• Champions do extra
• Rituals are key for reinforcing culture