Book Review; Legacy, What the All Blacks can Teach us About the Business of Life.

Suddenly relevant as The New Zealand All Blacks team, recently lost against England in the Rugby World Cup. Now I couldn’t help finally publishing a review for this book, and its fascinating story that I often reference. 

Whether you work within a company or are part of a sports team, thinking about the details that help create the culture, is a process that you can never drop the ball on. (Jupp, a small sports pun there).

In Legacy, we are introduced to the New Zealand All Blacks, arguably the Worlds most successful and dominant sports team, in history, in any sport, ever. The book gives an understanding of the why’s and how’s of their journey to focus on creating and developing a strong internal culture. This goes far beyond the traditional Haka dance that many might have heard of. (And if you have never heard of it you have to look it up on youtube!) Like when the senior members of the team, the superstars of their sport, pick up brooms after the match and start cleaning out the dressing room (what they call “sweeping the shed”). It’s not because nobody else can do it, it's because a part of their team culture is that they can take care of themselves and are to keep humble, and keep working hard.

A central piece of the All Blacks mindset is connected to their saying, "Leave the jersey in a better place". Since first reading the book probably 5years ago, this is something I have tried to metaphorically replicate in all of my own endeavours, and relationships. And I can honestly say that I feel a larger sense of fulfilment as a result. Try it!

Author James Kerr writes in what I experienced, as a very comfortable manner. Where most books on leadership and organisations can tend to be somewhat tedious. When reading “Legacy", I felt as though somebody was telling me a valuable story.

I found' Legacy, What the All Blacks can Teach us About the Business of Life’ to be an inspiring book that should be relevant for both managers and team members alike.

As good to buy for yourself as to gift to somebody else, maybe your boss? 😃

One of my favourite books, ever. An easy recommendation!

I have previously published this book review on LinkedIn (not sure anymore whom last one between the All Blacks and England.