“ When you’re at the top of your game, change your game”
Rugby may not be the most popular sport here in the United States. But this non-stop game of running, hitting, and kicking is loved across the world. Even if you are not a sports fan, rugby can be valuable with a long list of life lessons that translates to anyone seeking success. Rugby is a dynamic game requiring hard work, determination, and teamwork. The lessons learned on the pitch are an outline for success in any facet of life.
Whether you know rugby or not, maybe you have heard of the New Zealand All Blacks. The All Blacks are famously known for being the most successful sporting team in the world. A bold title that has been earned over the last century.James Kerr documents the methods of success in his novel Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach us about The Business of Life. In the novel, Kerr discusses the fundamental principles the team highlights. both on and off the pitch. Character, purpose, responsibility, preparation, execution, sacrifice, ritual, and legacy to name a few. As an emerge professional, this book is chalk full of lessons for becoming successful.
Many of you may recognize the All Blacks haka, a pregame war ritual dating back to the 18th century. The team performs this ‘war dance’ before each match to connect with their core narrative to remind the team of their identity. It reminds them of who they are and who they represent. The first chapter of the book is about character. When building a team the All blacks organization uses this mentality, “A collection of talented individuals without personal discipline will ultimately and inevitably fail. Character triumphs over talent.” The idea is to be the best you can be and do everything you can for the benefit of the team.
I have played rugby for nine years and as most players, I am a rugby player for life. An important aspect of the sport is respect. They say soccer is a gentlemen’s game played by hooligans, while rugby is a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen. Rugby was my first experience with networking. Before I knew it, I had connections with the rugby community that would turn out to be worthwhile. I got a summer job one year because of a rugby guy i had never met reffered me. A close family friend fought ALS a crippling disease. The rugby community came together to get him the things he needed. With this tradition of respect for game and player, the rugby network is a tight one that encourages people to help eachother and stay connected. As I start my career search, utilizing my network is going to be imperative to finding a position.
The game is about respect because of the aspect of teamwork, competition, and tradition. If you want to be successful you must work together and respect your teammates enough to give 100% effort 100% of the time. It is easy to be humble when you have been flattened by an opponent. And everyone takes that hit at some point in their career. Rugby is a violent sport but it is tradition to conduct yourself in a cordgial manner. And if we stray from tradition the sport could easily earn a bad name. Rugby teaches us not to complain to the referee when we get a bad call but to take on the chin and continue on. This is maybe the most important lesson I have learned growing up as teen. In life things aren’t always going to go your way. You wont always be given a fair shot. For example, a job. But we can’t let this stop our momentum.
Brian Burke 