Why I love Robbie Deans

In his book ‘Watching The Rugby World Cup’, Spiro Zavos mentioned the management ideas of an eccentric Brisbane dentist Paddi Lund, who had developed a business philosophy around the simple premise “Let’s be happy”.

To continue in Spiro’s words, Lund practised what he called critical non-essential theory, or CNE. Critical non-essentials are things that are outside the core business, but add so much value they ultimately determine the success of the enterprise.

I don’t know if Robbie Deans has ever heard of Paddi Lund and his theory of CNEs. It doesn’t matter because in any case, Deans is an apostle of the same principle. By the way, to digress for a moment, do you know the difference between an apostle and a disciple? Broadly speaking, a disciple is a follower, while an apostle is a teacher, while also being a follower (disciple). But I digress.

I sure as hell hope Deans is successful in his tenure as Wallaby coach, not only for the sake of Australian rugby, but also for the sake of the management philosophy he preaches. There are too few managers in the business/political world like Robbie Deans, but far too many who exercise their authority and power through ego, arrogance, ignorance, fear, retribution, regulations, policies, procedures, intrigue and their own insecurity and inadequacy. As one wit once said, when in doubt, “mumble”, and when in trouble, “delegate”.

Deans is refreshingly comfortable in his own skin. He is happy with who he is. He doesn’t feel the need to prove himself to anybody. Basically, people can take to or leave him. This was evident when he invited the 12 Sydney premier rugby coaches (apostles and/or disciples?) to an open training session with the Wallabies at Manly oval, and invited them to ask questions, which he answered frankly. Deans talks about the “invisible things” as being essential to success. In this capacity, he is talking the same language as Dr. Paddi Lund above.

This is part of what Gary Ella (Parramatta coach and ex-Wallaby) had to say about his visit to the Wallaby training session: “He was talking about the invisible factors that people don’t see – the strengths of the squad, the input of the players, which we all found very interesting”, said Ella. “You know the team has to get on, but it was the first time I have heard it put like that”.

Even ‘Aussie’ Guus Hiddink would approve of Deans’ methods. Visiting South Korea again recently, Hiddink said there was no magic formula in the success of the Russian team he coached at Euro 2008, or more precisely, his ability to make his teams over-achieve on expectations. “There’s no recipe, there’s no secret, there’s there’s no magic”, said Hiddink. “What we emphasised was to expose (ourselves) as a team, as players, to play fully committed and fully hard. No miracle formula, it seems, except for good old common sense practicality – Create a happy environment, work hard, put the team first, empower the players, then watch things fall into place. More power to Deans and Hiddink! They would like each other, I think.

In an interview with Greg Growden in the SMH of 7-8/06/08, Deans provided this part answer to a question: “I’m a great believer that the invisible factors are often the point of difference. The stuff that you can’t see, but you can feel”. Lund and his CNEs again. Deans also talks about the players getting plenty of Vitamin L- laughter. Laughter, they say, is the spice of life. He also talks about the players needing to find a balance between family home life and team sporting life. It’s all good common sense practicality.

Then there’s the character and ethics of the man. He told John O’Neill way back in 2003 when O’Neill first sounded him out for the Wallabies job, that he was in the job of producing not just good players but good people also. Apparently, the Canterbury Crusaders have been known to comb the streets of Christchurch, helping the homeless. Deans appreciates sportsmen don’t and shouldn’t, live in a bubble. There’s that balance again.

Not only does Deans create the environment in which his players can thrive, but he comes prepared. Spiro recounts that at the S14 coaches summit down at Coogee oval earlier this year on the ELVs, it was Deans who appeared the most clued up on the law changes. ‘Knowledge is power’. He is also a hands on coach. Obviously, Deans is a “do as I do” coach, NOT a “do as I say” coach. Journalist Wayne Smith suggests Deans might be a fan of Henry David Thoreau – “our life is fritted away by detail”. For Deans, it’s a matter of simplify, simplify, simplify. Again, wonderful common sense pragmatism.

I love the line Deans gave last week – “you are what you do often”. This then is the secret, the magic, the miracle formula. If people are happy doing something, they will want to do it again and again. And the more often people do a particular activity, the better they become at it. So incredibly simple. But so many of those business/political managers who would rather control through fear and innuendo – “do this…..or else”.

That’s why I hope and pray that Robbie Deans will succeed with the Wallabies, doing it his way. Rugby is simple. Life is simple. It’s the ‘control freaks’ trying to convince us otherwise who need to be cast and scattered like chaff before the wind. Who would have believed it – create a happy environment, have the players work hard at something they enjoy and with people they can have fun with. Suddenly, they will become better without really being aware of it.

Who knows…..one day, 14 December 2007 (the day Deans was appointed national Wallaby coach) might be declared Australian Rugby Day. Amen to that, all you apostles and disciples!