Questions? Text Ben Herring direct.Wayne Smith, one of rugby's greatest strategic minds, takes us on an intimate journey through his extraordinary coaching career, revealing the cultural secrets behind multiple World Cup victories with the All Blacks and Black Ferns.Known as "The Professor" for his analytical brilliance, Smith shares how he transformed struggling teams into champions by focusing on meaning beyond winning. From his innovative cultural work with the Crusaders using Shakespeare's Henry V to his complete reimagining of the Black Ferns program in just 12 weeks before their World Cup triumph, Smith demonstrates how effective coaching transcends tactical knowledge.Most fascinating is Smith's revelation about the fundamental difference between coaching men and women: "The women have to feel good to play well. The men have to play well to feel good." This insight transformed his approach with the Black Ferns, embracing their pre-game music and dancing rather than imposing the silent, tense atmosphere typical of All Blacks match preparation.Smith's methods challenge conventional wisdom at every turn. He banned box kicks, introduced Tuesday "club nights" with beer after intense training, and created controlled chaos in practice to develop players who could maintain clarity when games became unpredictable. His focus on simplification—limiting coaching points to just three themes per week—produced a flowing, joyful style of rugby that captivated fans and overwhelmed opponents.Beyond technical innovation, Smith's philosophy that "people will rise to a challenge if it's their challenge" offers profound wisdom for leaders in any field. By asking questions rather than dictating answers, he empowered players to own their development and create teams that regenerate leadership from within.What makes this conversation truly special is hearing how a master coach evolved throughout his career, constantly learning and adapting while staying true to his belief that rugby should be both effective and joyous. Listen now to transform your understanding of leadership, culture, and what makes teams truly exceptional.https://www.learnfastapp.com/LearnfastappIt gives you real-time insights into how clearly you’re getting your message across. Join the Free Newsletter here: Coaching Culture newsletterCheck out the website: www.coachingculture.com.au Support the show
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1:25:27
Ryan Martin: Burn the lesson plan. How to break through in professional coaching.
Questions? Text Ben Herring direct.Check Ryan’s Outstanding drills here: https://x.com/CoachRyanMartinDiscover the secrets of crafting a winning team culture with our guest, Ryan Martin, a professional rugby coach with a unique background in education. Transitioning from a 17-year career as a primary school teacher to the rugby field, Ryan offers a wealth of insights on resilience, trust-building, and the importance of valuing individuals. We'll explore how his experiences as a young father and educator have shaped his coaching philosophy and influenced his innovative methods for fostering engagement and unity within teams.Get ready to rethink traditional coaching approaches as Ryan shares stories of unconventional strategies that led to remarkable successes both on and off the field. From intimate coffee meetings to replacing standard training with off-field learning, Ryan's experiences underscore the psychological benefits of creating supportive environments. His tales highlight how a coach's personality and demeanor are reflected in team culture, with insights into the art of effective questioning and creating memorable interactions that inspire genuine connections among players.Listen as Ryan delves into leadership styles influenced by personal experiences, illustrating how challenges can be transformed into powerful leadership tools. With anecdotes that emphasize kindness, gratitude, and adaptability, Ryan offers lessons on treating everyone with respect and using creativity to engage top-tier athletes. Whether you're in sports, business, or personal development, the strategies discussed in this episode offer valuable takeaways for building personal connections, enhancing team dynamics, and leading with empathy and authenticity.https://www.learnfastapp.com/LearnfastappIt gives you real-time insights into how clearly you’re getting your message across. Join the Free Newsletter here: Coaching Culture newsletterCheck out the website: www.coachingculture.com.au Support the show
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1:03:23
Richard Cockerill: Rugby's Straightshooter. You can't pretend to be a good version of someone else.
Questions? Text Ben Herring direct.Richard Cockerill cuts through the buzzwords to deliver a masterclass in building winning cultures across two decades of elite coaching. The former Leicester, Toulon, Edinburgh, England and current Georgia coach shares his refreshingly straightforward philosophy: be on time, wear the right kit, and work hard – non-negotiable standards that have underpinned championship teams throughout his career.Cockerill reveals the evolution of his notoriously confrontational coaching style, explaining how his game-day intensity has remained while he's learned to separate field behavior from off-field relationships. "Off the field, treat the person as the person, not the player," he reflects, highlighting how this distinction creates healthier team environments while preserving high standards. His preference for direct, face-to-face conversations stems from a belief that clarity prevents issues from festering, even when conversations are uncomfortable.The conversation dives deep into coaching under pressure, from surviving a 1-7 start during a World Cup period at Leicester to adapting his leadership approach for an entirely different culture with the Georgian national team. Cockerill's journey exemplifies how authentic leadership evolves without abandoning core principles. As he puts it with characteristic bluntness: "Coaching is an opinion. You can't pretend to be a good version of someone else." This episode offers invaluable insights for coaches and leaders at all levels seeking to build consistent, high-performing cultures while remaining true to themselves.Join us for an unfiltered look at leadership from one of rugby's most distinctive voices, where you'll discover why sometimes being both "reasonable and unreasonable" might be exactly what your team needs.https://www.learnfastapp.com/LearnfastappIt gives you real-time insights into how clearly you’re getting your message across. Support the show
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1:08:17
Conrad Smith: Coachability Unleashed, The Culture-Driven Approach to Rugby.
Questions? Text Ben Herring direct.Conrad Smith unpacks the anatomy of winning team culture with remarkable clarity and authenticity. Drawing from his 94 tests with the All Blacks and captaincy experience with the Hurricanes, Smith reveals how culture transcends motivational posters and becomes a living force within truly great teams.Smith's framework for culture starts with vision—that high-level aspiration everyone buys into—but he quickly moves beyond theory to practical application. "Values are difficult," he acknowledges, "because any team can put 'trust' and 'teamwork' on a wall." The difference lies in behaviors: concrete actions that demonstrate values in real time. The famous All Blacks tradition of "sweeping the sheds" wasn't just symbolic but a tangible behavior reinforcing their commitment to staying grounded regardless of success.Leadership emerges as the crucial final element, with Smith candidly reflecting on his own growth from a player who noticed problems but remained silent to one who respectfully held teammates accountable. His transformation accelerated when coach Mark Hammett controversially released several Hurricanes stars, forcing Smith to step up when nothing was left but "to make a difference." His goal wasn't championships but simply making players "want to be a Hurricane again"—prioritizing culture over silverware.Perhaps most revealing is Smith's assessment of his own success despite physical limitations. "I was pinned under the bench press in my first gym session," he laughs, attributing his rise to being coachable—listening, asking good questions, and working relentlessly. This approach prevented coaches from having any excuse to drop him, even when he wasn't the strongest or fastest.Ready to transform your team? Discover why culture isn't some "airy-fairy" concept but the bedrock of sustainable performance, and learn practical ways to build behaviors that reflect your values rather than just writing them on walls.https://www.learnfastapp.com/LearnfastappIt gives you real-time insights into how clearly you’re getting your message across. Join the Free Newsletter here: Coaching Culture newsletterCheck out the website: www.coachingculture.com.au Support the show
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1:16:15
Frans Ludeke: The Soft Skills of Really Caring and Loving People
Questions? Text Ben Herring direct.Frans Ludeke, legendary rugby coach with over 30 years of experience spanning South Africa to Japan, reveals the leadership principles that have defined his remarkable journey. Having transformed the Kubota Spears from a struggling second-division team to Japanese champions, Frans shares how authentic leadership and genuine care create the foundation for sustainable success."Take your wins to your heart and your losses to your head," Frans advises, describing a mental approach that allows coaches to appreciate victories emotionally while processing defeats intellectually. This wisdom, passed down from his mentor, serves as a powerful framework for handling the inevitable ups and downs of coaching.Frans defines culture as "glue" that binds teams together, something that must be fed daily through consistent messaging, clear vision, and accountability. His philosophy centers on creating environments where players can grow, enjoy themselves, and succeed by striking the perfect balance between fun, fairness, and toughness. The transformative experience of raising triplets in Japan fundamentally shifted his leadership approach, teaching him the "soft skills of really caring and loving people."What distinguishes Frans's coaching is his commitment to creating "tables" where players contribute meaningfully to team direction. Even with world-class players like Victor Matfield at the Bulls, Frans prioritized player involvement in strategic decisions. His willingness to adapt his approach based on circumstances—simplifying communication in Japan and returning to teaching fundamentals—demonstrates his remarkable flexibility as a leader.For aspiring coaches, Frans emphasizes authenticity and emotional intelligence: "Be yourself, but have the ability to change gears in your leadership style." Different players require different approaches—veterans need ownership while rookies need clear direction. This adaptive leadership philosophy has proven successful across cultures and competitions.Join us for this unmissable conversation with one of rugby's most thoughtful and successful coaches, and discover leadership insights that extend far beyond the playing field.https://www.learnfastapp.com/LearnfastappIt gives you real-time insights into how clearly you’re getting your message across. Join the Free Newsletter here: Coaching Culture newsletterCheck out the website: www.coachingculture.com.au Support the show
Coaching Culture with Ben Herring is your weekly deep-dive into the often-overlooked “softer skills” of coaching—cultural innovation, communication, empathy, leadership, dealing with stress, and motivation. Each episode features candid conversations with the world’s top international rugby coaches, who share the personal stories and intangible insights behind their winning cultures, and too their biggest failures and learnings from them. This is where X’s and O’s meet heart and soul, empowering coaches at every level to foster authentic connections, inspire their teams, and elevate their own coaching craft. If you believe that the real gold in rugby lies beyond the scoreboard, Coaching Culture is the podcast for you.
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