Unlocking Excellence: Leadership Lessons from Rugby

Forvis Mazars recently hosted two unforgettable client evenings in Limerick and Galway, featuring rugby legends Paul O’Connell and Jerry Flannery.  Known for their extraordinary careers on the field, Paul and Jerry are now shaping the future of rugby as elite coaches for the Ireland and South Africa squads. Their transition from iconic players to visionary leaders offers a fascinating lens into what it takes to cultivate excellence and resilience, both on the pitch and in the workplace.

Journalist and commentator Donn O’Sullivan served as MC for these engaging discussions, diving deep into Paul and Jerry's experiences, philosophies and the parallels between building a championship-winning team and fostering a high-performance culture in the corporate world.

The panel discussion and Limerick partners Vic Angley (left) and Pat Magner (right) with Paul O’Connell and Jerry Flannery.

Key takeaways: Applying rugby’s lessons to corporate leadership

Over the course of the two evenings, Paul and Jerry discussed many aspects of leadership and the approach both national teams take to fostering elite performance. While the three main keywords that ran through the discussion were: clarity, simplicity and ownership. We have tried to capture below the shared themes and takeouts

1. Stay calm under pressure

Calmness is essential in critical moments. When players panic, they lose focus and make mistakes. Remaining composed allows teams to stay focused, read situations accurately and execute effectively.

2. Embrace mistakes and move forward

Mistakes are inevitable, but the ability to move past them quickly and seize the next opportunity is a hallmark of high performers.

3. Leadership can come from anywhere

Leadership isn’t confined to the coach or captain. Everyone plays a role in lifting the team, fostering belief and aligning with a common goal.

4. Keep it simple

Simplicity breeds clarity. By breaking complex ideas into digestible actions, teams can better understand and implement plans.

5. Stress-test the plan

Before execution, critically evaluate the plan to identify potential flaws. However, once the game begins, confidence and responsibility are crucial for successful implementation

6. Prepare for the unexpected

Effective preparation includes planning for unforeseen scenarios. When faced with challenges, stay calm, communicate and trust the preparation.

7. Ownership is key

High-performance teams thrive on ownership. Each individual must take responsibility for their role in the plan and address setbacks with a commitment to improvement.

8. It takes a village

Success relies on the entire team and support staff working toward a shared purpose. Clear roles and responsibilities ensure everyone contributes effectively.

9. Adapt to different teams

Teams respond differently based on their culture, history and makeup. A good leader adapts their approach to meet the unique needs of their team. 

10. Leave ego behind

Great leaders prioritise their team’s success over showcasing their own knowledge. Distilling complex concepts into simple, actionable guidance is more impactful than demonstrating expertise.

11. Be objective and transparent in feedback

Feedback should be fact-based and free from emotion. Honest, transparent and agenda-free communication builds trust and drives improvement.

Huge thanks to Paul O’Connell, Jerry Flannery and MC Donn O’Sullivan for providing two wonderful and insightful evenings.