Creating a culture of excellence with autonomy supportive coaching - the story of New Zealand Rugby

What is human excellence and why should everyone strive towards their personal excellence? What is effective coaching and leadership? What love and conflict have to do with this all? In this episode I will be discussing about leadership and coaching that enables the emergence of a culture of excellence. I am referencing a scientific article with my comments by Hodge and colleagues (2014), which outlined the story of the New Zealand national team All Blacks (which refers to their shirt colour). The All Blacks culture is broadly idolised in the sport and in the corporate world, and this article is an inspirational peek "inside the locker room" to see what really has happened that has allowed this great culture to emerge - a culture that achieves excellence in performance (85% winning percentage and world title 2011), but also character growth (Better People Make Better All Blacks). The article outlines 8 areas of a culture of excellence, which I reflect upon in this episode: 1. Critical turning point 2. Flexible and evolving 3. Dual-management model 4. "Better People Make Better All Blacks" 5. Responsibility 6. Leadership 7. Expectation of excellence 8. Team cohesion The eight themes echo the principles of a "mastery climate" and "autonomy supportive coaching" - tune in to understand more of these principles and to get inspired about the coaching and leadership wisdom of the All Blacks Coaches Henry and Smith! Here the article: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274996500_A_Case_Study_of_Excellence_in_Elite_Sport_Motivational_Climate_in_a_World_Champion_Team