Saracens are currently the strongest rugby union team across Europe: based in London, they have been dominating the other UK and French teams (and Italian ones, of course) in the last few years. Last year they won the British championship and the European trophy. And according to a recent FT.com article, they could give some nice tips to managers:
Continuity. Short-term, in rugby or in business, is always unsuccessful, according to Mr Wray, the club's owner.
“Businesses generally don’t understand ‘team’ at all,” says Mr Wray. “And for years, I didn’t either. So this has been one of the greatest learning lessons of my life. Today, in business or in rugby, I have no interest in anything short term. I just want to work with people who want to build something
Teamwork. Saracens are known - just have a look at what they post about on social networks, and you will understand - for being a bunch of friends. If they have a final on sunday, you could find them together having a pint on friday. Rugby is probably the sport where being a team is essential the most: if your mate runs with the ball, either you run behind him ready to help, or he is doomed. Literally.
What motivates players and spurs exceptional performance is simple: each other. What makes the difference is what other teams don’t do: make memories and build bonds.
Enjoyability. Boredom is enemy of peak performance, according to Mr Wray. Team holidays, having lunch all together academy and first team, a philosophy club...
Routine activities such as warm-ups are constantly redesigned, not to make them more rigorous but to make them more enjoyable.
The outcome? The most successful rugby club of the Northern emisphere. Saracens.
Thoughts monkeys?
I played rugby in high school. We didn't have any of this because half of my teammates were drug addicts who'd skip practice (to get high) and bitch about how they're about to flunk out.
Meanwhile, the teams that routinely beat us were well-oiled machines of disciplined players were a strong sense of camaraderie on the field. It really shows.
fuck yeah
Dope, I love rugby. That concludes my thoughts on the matter.
And I couldn't agree more!
Wouldn't this apply to any team sport? Is anything about this unique to rugby?
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