Lessons from Richie McCaw - Former All Blacks Captain

Yesterday was a special moment for me. I sat down with the former World Champion All Blacks Rugby captain, Richie McCaw ONZ, to learn about leadership, mindset and parenthood. One very humble man, with one very IMPRESSIVE record. He is the most capped test player of all time and has won the World Rugby Player of the Year award a record breaking 3 times!!

Richie and I have one HUGE thing in common ... our passion for being Dad’s. I was delighted when he agreed to be a part of my upcoming book on parenthood, leadership and elite performance mindset.

We talked about many things including parenting challenges for busy parents, setting goals and dreaming big, tall-poppy syndrome, suicide and values-based leadership. There were so many golden nuggets that Richie imparted and I look forward to sharing them in my book.

Here’s some of the great things I took away:

We are all human and we are all capable of whatever we set our minds to.

You don’t have to grow up with a silver spoon or attend a private school to achieve colossal success.

You can put your mind to anything that you truly want to achieve so long as you keep your ultimate result front and centre.

Richie also touched on the “tall poppy” syndrome which is prevalent in New Zealand (and many other Western societies) whereby people enjoy pulling other people down when they are riding high on the waves of success. I see it every day and it can have a major impact on the person’s determination and mental health - if they let it.

I reflect back to when I led a team to 6 consecutive National titles ... the first win was greeted by rapturous enthusiasm from the opposing teams. By the 5th and 6th win though ... some of the opposing competitors started to act a little less enthusiastic.

Developing GRIT and a thick skin is an essential attribute in life as it’s inevitable that you will come across people who drop negative comments, gossip or try to pull you down.

If you are building your family legacy, following your passion, lifting others up and living a life of ambition then you will no doubt have people who support you and those who won’t.

BUT it’s up to you to choose HOW you respond. If you stick to your lane and put creating value for your people at the forefront of what you do, then you will continue to live a life on your terms.

Richie shared a beautiful quote.

“𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦’𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳.”

What do you do to celebrate other people’s success?