Simon Cron, head coach of the Western Force, opens up just days before his team's monumental clash with the British and Irish Lions—a once-in-a-generation opportunity that comes around only every 12 years. With remarkable candor, he reveals his approach to preparing players for high-pressure situations through mental clarity rather than tactical complexity."You're not trying to think a whole lot, you're just trying to do, and that's the only way you can get it done," Cron explains, sharing how overthinking paralyzes performance. His philosophy of "mindset, skill set, structure" provides a framework not just for individual training sessions but for building sustainable team culture. This approach has transformed the Force from having zero Wallabies representatives to now contributing nine players to the national team.Cron's insights on leadership development are particularly valuable, describing how he had to rebuild leadership structures from scratch upon arriving at the Force. Rather than simply appointing captains, he created a cyclical system where experienced leaders mentor emerging ones, recognizing that leadership is something learned through observation and practice. His journey includes lessons from rugby legends like Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen, particularly around maintaining coaching longevity despite the demanding nature of the profession.Perhaps most fascinating is Cron's description of the "conflict continuum"—his philosophy that high-performance environments must operate in the challenging middle ground between artificial harmony and destructive criticism. Like building muscle requires stress and recovery, building resilient players and teams requires the right amount of productive discomfort. The conversation provides a masterclass in creating accountability while maintaining respect and relationships.Ready to transform your approach to leadership and team culture? This episode delivers practical wisdom from the crucible of professional rugby that applies across all competitive environments. What difficult conversations should you be having to move your team forward?Send us a textSupport Joe Ritchie:https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-for-our-mate-joseph-ritchie?fbclid=IwY2xjawLF5ZtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoeFZUlQs0oG9w6TOfyD40HAkl1wpnBr4svdwGSvgmlxp3aNVFOPzVMpMkXb_aem_bHes3HyhPdjqJEbgfUiBhw Support the show
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1:05:30
Kendrick Lynn: Breaking Down Argentina's Rugby DNA
What truly makes a winning team culture? According to Kenny Lynn, Argentina Rugby's attack coach, it's "the environment you create to maximize the potential of the group." Fresh off orchestrating Argentina's historic victory over the British and Irish Lions, Kenny dives deep into the cultural foundations that make winning possible.Kenny shares a refreshingly authentic approach to high-performance coaching, revealing how Argentina's unique situation—with players scattered across European clubs—becomes their greatest strength. "For these players, this is their chance to be truly Argentinian," he explains, highlighting how national identity fuels performance. Rather than fighting this reality, the coaching staff doubles down on celebrating their DNA and cultural heritage.Perhaps most striking is Argentina's family-first approach. Unlike environments where family is viewed as a distraction, the Pumas integrate families into team barbecues and prioritize family time for both players and coaches. This commitment extends to honoring the team's connection to amateur rugby, with Kenny cleverly organizing training drills around club rivalries to generate natural competitive energy.The conversation offers rare insights into cross-cultural coaching, with Kenny drawing from his experiences in France and New Zealand. His "connect before correct" philosophy emphasizes understanding people first, while his principles-based coaching style provides structure without stifling creativity. As he puts it, coaching Argentina is about "simplifying everything to allow them to play free and remove fear."What emerges is a masterclass in balancing tactical rigor with cultural authenticity. Kenny's approach demonstrates how meeting players where they are—understanding their unique backgrounds, strengths, and motivations—creates an environment where extraordinary performances become possible. For anyone leading teams across cultural boundaries or seeking to maximize collective potential, this conversation offers invaluable wisdom from rugby's highest level.Send us a textSupport Joe Ritchie:https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-for-our-mate-joseph-ritchie?fbclid=IwY2xjawLF5ZtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoeFZUlQs0oG9w6TOfyD40HAkl1wpnBr4svdwGSvgmlxp3aNVFOPzVMpMkXb_aem_bHes3HyhPdjqJEbgfUiBhw Support the show
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59:31
Ben Darwin: The Science of Team Cohesion
Ben Darwin, former Wallaby prop turned analytics expert, reveals how his company Gainline Analytics is revolutionizing our understanding of team performance through the measurement of cohesion. This eye-opening conversation challenges conventional wisdom about team building, showing that cohesion (shared understanding between players) is more crucial to success than many traditional metrics.Darwin breaks down the difference between culture (normative behaviors within a team) and cohesion (the actual on-field connections). Through analysis of 80,000+ games, he demonstrates how cohesion directly correlates with winning percentages across different sports. The numbers are striking - teams making frequent lineup changes after losses actually win fewer subsequent games than teams maintaining consistency through struggles.Most fascinating is the revelation that different positions require different timelines for cohesion development. Inside backs and playmaking positions need extensive shared experience to excel, while wingers can adapt more quickly. This explains why championship teams often feature long-established combinations in key decision-making roles.The implications for coaching are profound. Darwin's research shows it takes approximately 2.8 seasons for transferred players to reach peak performance in new environments. His data also reveals how the most successful teams in world rugby built their championship-winning cohesion through consistent selection, shared domestic competition experience, or stable national team development.Whether you're coaching at elite or grassroots level, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the patience required for true team building. As Darwin eloquently puts it: "Don't panic, it's organic." The teams that understand this principle and resist short-term fixes are those that ultimately build sustainable success. After listening, you'll never view team selection or development the same way again.Send us a textSupport Joe Ritchie:https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-for-our-mate-joseph-ritchie?fbclid=IwY2xjawLF5ZtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoeFZUlQs0oG9w6TOfyD40HAkl1wpnBr4svdwGSvgmlxp3aNVFOPzVMpMkXb_aem_bHes3HyhPdjqJEbgfUiBhw Support the show
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1:06:15
Tony Brown: Rugby Man first, Coach Second.
Tony Brown's approach to coaching is refreshingly straightforward in a world that often overcomplicates the game. "I'm a rugby man first, then a coach second," he explains, revealing how his deep love for the sport drives everything he does. This authenticity forms the cornerstone of his coaching philosophy: create systems that are "easy to learn, simple to understand, but challenging to execute."Brown's journey spans the globe – from his native Otago and the Highlanders in New Zealand to successful stints in Japan and now as attack coach for South Africa's national team. Throughout these experiences, he's developed a counter-intuitive yet powerful approach to team building. While many coaches quickly replace players they deem inadequate, Brown takes the opposite view: "Give me the players and I'll coach them to be the best they can be, which then makes the team the best it can be." This philosophy was vindicated when he helped transform the Highlanders – considered the weakest New Zealand franchise – into Super Rugby champions in 2015.What separates Brown from many contemporary coaches is his skepticism of forced "high performance" environments. Drawing from his remarkable personal resilience – having overcome a severe childhood hand injury and later a life-threatening pancreas rupture during his playing career – he understands that genuine culture trumps rigid performance metrics. "You can train players hard and push them hard, but it's not through high performance standards, it's through your environment and culture that gets the best out of players," Brown explains.For coaches at any level, Brown's insights offer a masterclass in balancing technical expertise with human connection. His warning against what he calls "the coaching disease" – becoming obsessed with perfect presentations while losing touch with players – serves as a powerful reminder that coaching ultimately remains a people profession. Want to develop players who believe they can achieve the extraordinary? Start by being authentically yourself.Send us a textSupport Joe Ritchie:https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-for-our-mate-joseph-ritchie?fbclid=IwY2xjawLF5ZtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoeFZUlQs0oG9w6TOfyD40HAkl1wpnBr4svdwGSvgmlxp3aNVFOPzVMpMkXb_aem_bHes3HyhPdjqJEbgfUiBhw Support the show
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1:00:08
Phil Davies: Inside the Mind of World Rugby’s Director of Rugby
What makes rugby's culture so distinct, and how does it translate across different countries and contexts? In this fascinating conversation, Phil Davies—Director of Rugby at World Rugby—shares wisdom gleaned from 35 years at every level of the game, from player to global administrator.Davies reveals the core elements that build winning team environments: "An environment of belonging where people feel trusted, respected, and safe." But as he explains, these aren't just platitudes—they must be embodied through consistent actions and behaviors. Drawing from his experiences coaching Namibia to two World Cups (including their historic first win against Uruguay), Davies offers remarkable insights about adapting leadership approaches to different cultural contexts while maintaining rugby's universal values.The conversation takes us behind the scenes of global rugby leadership, where Davies employs his "Three C's" approach—communicating, connecting, and collaborating—to balance tradition with evolution. He addresses the delicate balance between keeping rugby's gladiatorial essence while ensuring player safety, and shares why understanding a country's unique "DNA" is crucial for developing teams that local communities can recognize themselves in.Perhaps most compelling is Davies' perspective on coaching development and the patience required for meaningful change. "Sometimes people think it takes two weeks, but sometimes it'll take three months or three years," he reflects. His passion for technical coaching and developing what he calls a "tackle culture" throughout global rugby reveals where he sees the game's greatest growth opportunities.Whether you're a coach, player, or simply fascinated by leadership and culture, this episode offers powerful lessons about building environments where people thrive, adapting to different contexts, and remembering that in any endeavor, "The main thing is the main thing."Send us a textSupport Joe Ritchie:https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-for-our-mate-joseph-ritchie?fbclid=IwY2xjawLF5ZtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoeFZUlQs0oG9w6TOfyD40HAkl1wpnBr4svdwGSvgmlxp3aNVFOPzVMpMkXb_aem_bHes3HyhPdjqJEbgfUiBhw Support the show
Coaching Culture with Ben Herring is your weekly deep-dive into the often-overlooked “softer skills” of coaching—cultural innovation, communication, empathy, leadership, dealing with stress, and motivation. Each episode features candid conversations with the world’s top international rugby coaches, who share the personal stories and intangible insights behind their winning cultures, and too their biggest failures and learnings from them. This is where X’s and O’s meet heart and soul, empowering coaches at every level to foster authentic connections, inspire their teams, and elevate their own coaching craft. If you believe that the real gold in rugby lies beyond the scoreboard, Coaching Culture is the podcast for you.
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