The MacQueen motto: when you blame, you lose your power to change
Roar Guru By The Whistle , 10 Mar 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- 1999 World Cup, Rod Macqueen, Rugby Union, wallabies
As a rugby coach, Rod MacQueen brought a whole new dimension to the development of the players and the preparation of his teams.
MacQueen was an astute businessman who understood people and business, what drove them, what made them tick.
When he took over the reins of the Wallabies in 1996, one of the first things he did was introduce systems and structures. He gave individuals ownership and made them accountable, on and off the field.
Strategies he knew worked in the boardroom were replicated in the locker-room.
He was the CEO, and he had a number of very capable direct reports, an executive team who were all responsible for a specific area of performance.
The greatest rugby brain in world? Probably not.
But in guiding the Wallabies to the 1999 World Cup crown, MacQueen demonstrated just what could be achieved by playing to your strengths and understanding your limitations.
By delegating and trusting.
The other powerful tool in the MacQueen kit bag was communication.
An old advertising industry mate tells the story of working with MacQueen while filming a series of Energex commercials with the Wallabies some ten years ago.
The ad man had, at the time, a teenage son, who was feeling a little down on account of being dropped from his school under 15A team.
He asked MacQueen if he’d mind if he brought the youngster down at the end of training to say hello perhaps give him a word of encouragement.
No problem at all, MacQueen said. Be happy to.
The sight of the Wallaby coach, on the other side of the oval, a reassuring arm plonked over the boy’s shoulder, is as vivid in Dad’s mind today as it was a decade ago.
MacQueen took time and a genuine interest, asked the young footballer a whole raft of questions when far more important commitments loomed. The kid came back beaming, a complete new lease of life.
“What’d he say to you, son?” the Ad man asked.
“He told me there two sorts of rugby players. The first, those who insist they can do the job and get dirty when they’re dropped. The second just cop it and ask the question: “what do I have to do to get back in?”
There’s been many in sport – and for that matter business – who haven’t copped it, and blamed the world and everybody in it when they’ve been overlooked. They’ve been fewer who have asked the question.
Ask MacQueen and he’d quickly tell you who finishes up where.
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The Crowd Says (5) | Page 1 of Comments
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- 1999 World Cup, Rod Macqueen, Rugby Union, wallabies
March 10th 2009 @ 8:59am
sheek said | March 10th 2009 @ 8:59am | Report comment
This is true of course.
But what of the argument that when you see something is patently wrong, you should speak up, otherwise the problem continues to compound itself.
People who do this are often accused of being whingers, which is a convenient way to either embarrass them or discredit them, in any case try to shut them up. Many bosses are incapable of accepting criticism, even if it’s constructive.
Whilst ever we live in a democracy & have the freedom to express our disagreement about something, without fear of being dragged away in the middle of the night never to be seen again, we should do so!
But you’re right. When given a task, which obviously doesn’t place you in immediate danger (the emergency service guy coming out in me) just do it to the best of your ability.
March 10th 2009 @ 10:58am
James Mortimer said | March 10th 2009 @ 10:58am | Report comment
Great article.
Always had a huge amount of respect for McQueen, and his approach unfortunately is different to almost an automatic mindset by people in life.
Communication is king (there is never a problem if it is communicated). I think a good example of this is that when most people are told about an issue that relates to themselves – they think first to become defensive, or worse, try to then focus on the other persons issues.
If someone tells you something that can be percieved as negative, it’s better to first think honestly to yourself, why is this person saying this.
Accountability is another thing. As a man who has come from a background as a troubled youth – the only way I moved on in life was by accepting that I was responsible for my own actions. Irrespective of whether or not others were involved.
But I love this statement
“He told me there two sorts of rugby players. The first, those who insist they can do the job and get dirty when they’re dropped. The second just cop it and ask the question: “what do I have to do to get back in?”
This was one of my hardest lessons in life. It took me many years to ultimately become pragmatic about such things. Self reflection is important, but can be negative if you let it drag you down. We are all different, and everyone has different opinios.
As rugby fans, have we always agreed with a coaches tactics or selections.
No, because we all interpret things differently based on our own life experiences.
I find this statement of McQueens relative to happy and sad people. So many people get down and depressed by the actions of those around them, but forget a simple lesson, that you create your own happiness. And a happy person is far more likely to achieve what he or she is trying to do.
And that my friends,
is my free therapy session to you all
March 10th 2009 @ 11:18am
LeftArmSpinner said | March 10th 2009 @ 11:18am | Report comment
McQueen, a clubbie, both Surf and rugby clubbie and it shows. He respects and understands the individual. Good coaches always do. He also understood when to get out, at the top, thanks to the 1999 team and later, Kefu’s try on the bell.
March 10th 2009 @ 2:03pm
Hoy said | March 10th 2009 @ 2:03pm | Report comment
It was certainly a golden period of Australian Rugby. I don’t know so much that the talent was really collectively a whole heap better, but that he was like Deans as a good people manager, and got the best out of those under him.
And he did have good cattle.
March 10th 2009 @ 2:57pm
sheek said | March 10th 2009 @ 2:57pm | Report comment
I remember back in 2001, reading an article whereby it was believed MacQueen was retiring (after the Lions series) before he had a revolt on his hands from senior players.
I don’t believe skipper Eales was one of those players as he too bowed out after the Tri-Nations. But it seems the Brumbies ‘faction’, who had had MacQueen either as provincial or national coach since 1996, were tiring of the MacQueen ‘way’.
I don’t know how much substance there is to this story – as familiarity & success can both breed contempt. Maybe it says something about certain Wallabies & Brumbies!!!
Let me say I’m a great fan of MacQueen’s, & his thoughtful, inclusive & innovative thinking & direction.