The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk Episode #301 with James Kerr Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com Commonalities of sustaining excellence: Humility - An ego-less approach. "Serve to lead" mentality Curiosity - Following passion Value Excellence - Focus on doing the small things right These are transferable principles to any organziation The "All Blacks" rugby team "are our Gods in New Zealand."  They've won just under 80% of their games in history Scored twice as many points as their competitors The most successful sports team of all time Sustained high performance Mana = The God within.  The spirit... The ethos that creates excellence decade after decade Surprises? "The softness in this hard game.  A love, a brotherhood, connection, meaning, caring for one another." How have they sustained excellence? Tradition Starts at the top with the leaders Breaking down old orthodox Like the British SAS - "Rank but no class" Leadership group -- It's not just one coach.  Everyone's ideas are valued. It's a player led team - "Positive power of peer pressure."  That feeling of not wanting to let one of your teammates down "You fight more for the person in the foxhole next to you." The Spartan sword and shield.  You can lose you sword, but you can never lose your shield.  That helps protect your brother. Accountability - There is leadership at every level It empowers the individual in a project bigger than themselves How does this work in business? Helps them step up, take ownership, be responsible "A leader is responsible for the result.  Good or bad."