Being Proud of a Loss
Plus the lesson behind the Brumbies’ turnaround and why it matters beyond sport
The Brumbies’ turnaround under Jake White taught me how quickly things can turn around.
We went from second-last with a stacked team in 2011, to making the grand final with a very young one just 2 seasons later.
We were also the first Aussie team in 40 years to beat the British Lions, and win a semi final at altitude in South Africa.
Obviously we had great coaches (White, Fisher, Larkham etc).
But I think the key driver wasn’t the rugby coaching, but the environment the staff created.
Particularly our head trainer Dean Benton, who hammered into us the importance of nutrition and sleep, and showed that by focusing on the basics, improvement would be inevitable.
Previous teams I’d been part of were mainly about digging deep and training “harder.”
But Dean’s emphasis on sleep, nutrition, and looking after ourselves away from training, gave us the energy we needed to train harder… and smarter.
But because we didn’t win the grand final (led with 12 minutes to go in NZ), I’ve felt embarrassed and only shared this story with small audiences.
Because if we didn’t win, then the sorry isn’t worth it? Right?
Yes, a win would have made the story better. But it’s time I got over that, because I think the turnaround has a lesson that applies far beyond sport:
You can’t do your best work unless you look after yourself away from work
I’m bloody proud of that team, and even prouder that the Brumbies have remained consistently strong ever since.
So now it’s time I stop feeling embarrassed about falling short and start sharing that story with pride.
Go Brumbies.
The Brumbies have made the finals ever since this defining turn around year :)
It highlights the importance of your work environment, good culture can be a source of fuel.