Coaching Culture with Ben Herring

A dusty bookshelf turned into a wake-up call. While sorting old favorites, we found a box of Tuesdays with Morrie—and that rediscovery became a fresh look at how culture, love, and emotion shape the way we coach and lead. What starts as a short memoir about weekly visits to a dying professor unfolds into a clear-eyed syllabus for living with purpose when the world keeps pushing speed, status, and more.

We walk through the story’s simple structure—Tuesdays as classes—and pull out the lessons that stick. First, the culture you inherit is not the culture...

What if the toughest conversations are actually acts of care? We sit down with Andrew Hore—veteran leader across the Crusaders, Ospreys, New Zealand Rugby, and the Blues—to unpack how culture really works when the stakes are high and the calendars are relentless. Andrew doesn’t sell slogans; he shares systems. From the iceberg of unwritten behaviors to the moments a leader must step back and let the team “color in” the framework, he shows why ownership beats oversight and why challenge, delivered well, strengthens trust.

We trace turning points across teams and regions: the Crusaders’ academy foun...

A year can teach more than a stack of textbooks when you commit to showing up every week. We look back on a season built on a simple promise: open a door to world-class coaching minds so any coach, in any town, can learn directly from people who are in the arena. Along the way, we learned new crafts—audio, video, messy garage setups, timezone chaos—and hit 100,000 downloads, a milestone that matters only because it means ideas landed when people needed them.

Two conversations shaped our thinking the most. From Tony Brown came a line that won’...

Pressure doesn’t invent behavior; it reveals it. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with behavioral strategist Warren Kenor, who brings three decades of coaching across elite rugby, cricket, golf, and Olympic equestrian. We dig into why “snaps” are almost never sudden and how the minutes leading up to a mistake hold the clues coaches overlook. Warren shows how to decode patterns with robust profiling, translate data into action, and make leadership choices that are calm, strategic, and effective.

We confront the emotional rollercoaster head-on. Cheering and yelling aren’t sins; they’re tools—if they’re used to creat...

Want a team that shows up, leans in, and stays connected when it matters most? Start with one small tradition. Ben shares a simple holiday story—a family beep test before Christmas lunch—and turns it into a clear playbook for leaders who want stronger culture and steadier performance. From youth to grandparents, everyone takes a role, and that shared ritual becomes a model for belonging, clarity, and care that any sports team or workplace can borrow.

We unpack why traditions work so well: they make people feel like they truly belong, they turn big words like work...

What truly turns a collection of talented individuals into a team that outperforms its parts? Chris Lendrum, GM of Professional Rugby and Performance at New Zealand Rugby, reframes culture with a striking idea: ten times eight can equal 60, 80, or 120 depending on the environment you build. From there, we unpack the daily leadership work that makes the “120” possible—where psychological safety meets accountability, and where connection fuels relentless standards.

We get practical about selection and development. Chris explains why technical skill is table stakes and how to hire for drive, openness, and alignment at scale. He shares how to ass...

One sentence can tell the truth about a team: small players want to tackle and big players want to run. We took that line apart and found the blueprint for a culture that turns comfort zones into competitive edges and effort into belonging. Across the mic, we share stories from the 10–7 connection, why the jersey’s history pulls more weight than any motivational speech, and how visible acts of courage and generosity become the signals that set standards without shouting.

We dig into three pillars. First, meaning bigger than self: players who feel the weight of the colo...

A team list can teach you more than a scoreboard. Ben opens up about growing up in New Zealand rugby culture, missing A teams year after year, and how that sting forged a durable kind of resilience that later powered a professional career and a life in coaching. The story tracks an unlikely path from D team disappointment to Super Rugby, through concussion and identity loss, and into a craft that puts people at the center of performance.

We dive into three formative gifts: learning to live with setbacks without letting them define you, discovering the freedom...

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If you can SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and SHARE the show and series, you would be doing your bit to grow this show. Very appreciated. Ben

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A golden Sydney evening sets the scene, but the real heat in this conversation is Mike Catt’s blueprint for durable, high-performing teams. We go far beyond tactics to unpack why love for the game, genuine care, and trained calm turn individual talent into collective results. Mike traces a remarkable journey from South Africa’s hard-edged competitiveness to Bath’s winning heyday, through Italy’s tough rebuilds, Ireland’s detail-rich evolution, and now the Waratahs, where skill development meets identity and purpose.

We dig into the idea that calm is a skill, not a mood. Mike explains how “think...

A 70-point demolition tells one story. The way South Africa kept shape with cards, shuffled roles without panic, and attacked with conviction tells the real one: culture, clarity, and coaching aligned. We trace that edge back to Tony Brown’s fingerprints and the mindset that flips good teams into ruthless, resilient units.

We start with the simplest signal that changes everything: show up as a rugby person first, a coach second. That posture earns trust fast, respects the jersey, and helps a leader amplify the team’s identity instead of importing a foreign system. From there, Brown’s hall...

If culture is just words on a wall, it won’t survive a 30‑game season. We sat down with Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson to unpack how a top Premiership club actually lives its values: clear behaviors, blunt but caring feedback, and a sense of humor that makes hard work sustainable. From academy integration to senior leadership, from recruitment to mindset, Phil shares the frameworks and small rituals that keep Saints connected and competitive.

We trace Phil’s pathway from player to DOR and why long-standing relationships can be a strength—so long as you keep the...

Coaches love big ideas until pressure hits and the ideas melt. Today we share our drafted chapter on Eddie Jones and pull out the hard, usable lessons that survive heat: culture as behavior, observation as a craft, and high standards delivered without resentment. After nearly 50 interviews with elite rugby minds, Eddie’s lens still cuts the clearest path from theory to team habits you can see and measure.

We start by redefining culture as what people correct in each other when it’s awkward. From Leicester’s “we don’t do it like that here” to Springbok players push...

What if the best culture in your team is hiding in plain sight—in the way players clean a table, put plates away, or stick around for a coffee that really means connection? We sit down with Nathan Gray—Wallaby, defense specialist, and now director of rugby—to map the behaviors that make standards visible and repeatable under pressure.

Nathan pulls back the curtain on selection and reveals the trait he hunts that tape often misses: intent. He explains why toughness is both physical and mental, and how to coach it without crossing into chaos. We dive deep i...

Ever feel like two practices a week can’t possibly cover skills, systems, set piece, and fitness? We unpack a practical blueprint that turns time pressure into sharper sessions, starting with the one choice that clarifies everything: define your team identity and let it set the plan. From there, we lean into a DIY fitness culture that takes conditioning off your training clock and puts ownership in your players’ hands, using simple prompts and social accountability to make extra work normal and even fun.

We keep set piece clean and efficient. Instead of a binder full of line...

What does a team feel like when the culture works? Players show up early. Coaches look for solutions when it rains. Conversations flow before and after practice because care and connection aren’t slogans—they’re the system. We sit down with Sean Graham, long‑time Director of Rugby at St. Joseph’s Nudgee College and founder of the Youth Rugby Coaches Forum, to unpack how he builds environments where kids can’t wait to train and coaches keep raising the bar.

Sean explains why the coach is the single biggest factor in a player’s experience and the two tr...

Pressure doesn’t invent character—it reveals it. When the game tightens and the season bites back, many of us slide into sarcasm, shut people out, or bury ourselves in busywork that feels safe. I unpack those dark traits head-on and share how elite coaches identify them, speak them aloud, and build systems that keep emotion from hijacking the facts.

Drawing on insights from Mick Byrne, John Mitchell, and Steve Hansen, I break down what happens when stress narrows perspective and why the first step is simple awareness without shame. Then we go further: refusing to justify the...

What if culture didn’t need a slogan? Mick Byrne, head coach of the Flying Fijians and former All Blacks coach, joins us to unpack a disarmingly simple idea: culture is values, standards, and beliefs lived every day. No fanfare. No buzzwords. Just behavior. From a Fijian security guard celebrating effort after a loss to rival teams singing together post‑match, Mick shows how joy and humility can power high performance without softening the competitive edge.

We dig into the tools that make this real. Mick explains why “don’t” is a coaching trap and how doing words crea...

What if the best parenting lessons come from the locker room—and the sharpest coaching insights come from home? I share how a sudden end to a playing career and the birth of my first child collided, starting a sixteen-year stretch where coaching and parenting ran in parallel and taught me the same truths about growth, standards, and care.

We unpack tough love the right way: not harshness, but honest care with clear expectations. I explain how to deliver hard feedback without breeding resentment—whether it’s a non-selection talk with an athlete or a boundary with a teen...

What if the best culture you ever built came after a 90-point loss? That’s not a stunt—it’s the backbone of our Sunwolves story, where people, not facilities, carried an underdog through brutal travel, language barriers, and constant roster churn.

We dig into a season that forced clarity. With 13 cultural backgrounds and minimal prep, we taught through images and objects, opened meetings with music, and played noughts-and-crosses to train communication and poise. We asked players to share three personal facts so the room saw humans first, jerseys second. Then we redefined success: not chasing wins we cou...

Ever wonder why some teams lift their standards from the inside while others grind for results that never stick? We dig into a simple chain that explains it: vision shapes leadership, leadership shapes culture, culture shapes performance, and performance shapes legacy. The magic happens in the middle. Culture isn’t a side project or a mood; it’s the daily environment that leaders design on purpose.

We start by contrasting two visions—a high-performance push to top the table versus a community-first club built on belonging—and show how each vision demands different leadership moves. Hiring, coaching time, fa...

Ever notice how the “genius coach” story never mentions the stacked deck? We dig into the Monopoly Effect—a coin-flip advantage that people later mistake for skill—and use it to decode why some teams look unstoppable while others keep rebuilding without getting better. With Ben Darwin of Gain Line Analytics, we map the hidden architecture of performance: feeder systems that quietly lower error rates, stable combinations that turn instincts into shared reflex, and board decisions that either protect or pulverize cohesion.

We walk through real examples across rugby, league, and football: why single-feeder clubs dominate, how national...

The fastest way to unlock performance isn’t a new drill or a sharper playbook—it’s lowering the mental noise your athletes carry in with them. We share a simple story from a doctor’s office that proves how precise care changes state without changing a single variable on the whiteboard. That shift in state turns scattered attention into readiness, and readiness into better outcomes.

We walk through why care is not a soft extra but a performance lever. When players feel seen beyond the jersey, they take smarter risks at training, tell the truth in review...

Glenn Jackson's remarkable rugby journey defies conventional paths. After an impressive playing career with Bay of Plenty, the Chiefs, and Saracens (where he earned Premiership Players Player of the Year), he pivoted to become a professional referee, officiating 32 Test matches before transitioning to coaching. Now head coach of the Fijian Drua, Jackson occupies a rare position of having played, refereed, and coached at elite levels.

What makes Jackson's perspective so valuable is his deep understanding of the delicate balance between traditional Fijian culture and professional rugby demands. "There's a huge change or element of speed around traditional...

Want to find out more for how to organise a school tour:

https://gullivers.com.au/rugbyschooltours/

What happens when young athletes step outside their comfort zones and experience the world through the lens of rugby? Ken Grover, the 79-year-old founder of Gulliver's Travel, has been answering this question for over four decades through more than 4,000 tours worldwide.

From his early days touring with Norths Rugby Club in 1973 to organizing massive contingents for Rugby World Cups, Ken has witnessed firsthand how travel transforms young people. "The epitome of culture is going to Japan,"...

Want a culture that actually lives on the field? We sat down with Eddie Jones to unpack the coaching choices that create real belonging, sharper decision-making, and braver rugby. From leaving a safe career to grinding through 100‑player university squads in Japan, Eddie shows how risk, clarity, and context build both teams and coaches who last.

We dive into designing culture through the game itself—why a clear playing model unites diverse squads better than slogans, and how fundamentals must be taught in context to transfer under pressure. Eddie breaks down why over-organization dulls vision, how to use...

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If you can SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and SHARE the show and series, you would be doing your bit to grow this show. Very appreciated. Ben

To subscribe to the newsletter or to get a copy of the book, jump onto:

www.coachingculture.com.au

Support the show

Share this show with your mates, rugby, coaches, leaders! Dont be shy.

526 professional games !

How do elite rugby teams cultivate environments where players willingly run through brick walls for their coaches? Jimmy Gopperth, with an unprecedented 526 professional games across 23 years at the highest levels, provides rare insights into what truly builds championship team cultures.

Drawing from experiences at powerhouse clubs like the Hurricanes, Leinster, Wasps, and Leicester, Gopperth reveals that authentic team culture can't be manufactured or forced. The most successful environments make players genuinely want to train every day, play for their coach, support teammates, continuously learn, and freely express themselves. When coaches fail to explain...

The hardest weeks test more than your game model—they test your culture. When results wobble and the temptation is to drown the room in clips, we take a different route: start with why, connect the people, and then coach the work. Drawing on stories from pro rugby and lessons from coaches who’ve been in the fire for decades, we map out five anchors that keep a team steady when the scoreboard isn’t your friend.

We begin by reshaping the meeting everyone dreads. Instead of leading with 34 errors, we set a clear purpose for the week—r...

What transforms a drinking club with a rugby problem into championship winners? According to Alando Soakai, it begins with crystal-clear values that everyone truly lives by.

In this captivating conversation, Alando takes us through his remarkable coaching journey from player-coach to his current roles with Moana Pacific and the Tonga national team. His perspective on culture development comes alive through concrete examples rather than coaching platitudes – from filming players embodying team values to translating core principles into Japanese to ensure true ownership at Kubota Spears.

"The rugby will happen no matter what," Alando reveals, highlighting hi...

Have you ever had a moment when someone's casual comment completely transformed your thinking? In this deeply personal reflection, I share three unexpected insights from players that revolutionized my coaching philosophy over decades in professional rugby.

The first revelation came in Japan, where after stubbornly trying to implement systems that worked at Leicester Tigers, a captain gently explained, "Just because it works there doesn't mean it works here." That simple observation fundamentally changed how I approach new environments—reminding me that context and culture matter profoundly in leadership. The second awakening came when a player simply asked "Wh...

Have you ever wondered what truly makes a championship team culture? Dan McKellar, current Waratahs head coach with a coaching resume spanning the Brumbies, Wallabies, and Leicester Tigers, cuts through the noise with refreshing honesty and clarity.

"Culture is just the actions of the people in the building," McKellar explains, offering a deceptively simple yet profound definition that frames his entire leadership approach. "When the last person at night shuts the door and turns the lights off, the culture goes with them. And then in the morning it comes in with the first person that walks in."<...

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If you can SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and SHARE the show and series, you would be doing your bit to grow this show. Very appreciated. Ben

To subscribe to the newsletter or to get a copy of the book, jump onto:

www.coachingculture.com.au

Support the show

Share this show with your mates, rugby, coaches, leaders! Dont be shy.

What if the secret to building championship teams isn't found in tactics or talent, but in a single, powerful word? 

Pat Lam, architect of the Bristol Bears' transformation from strugglers to European powerhouse, offers a refreshing perspective on leadership that challenges conventional wisdom. At the heart of his philosophy lies an unexpected foundation for team culture: love, defined as "sacrificing oneself for the benefit of others."

This conversation reveals how Lam has masterfully cultivated environments where players willingly put themselves at risk for teammates - from a 75kg scrum-half throwing his body into a ruck t...

What truly defines a coach's legacy? For Jim Mackay, it's not the championship trophies or international honors – it's the journey of becoming and the meaningful experiences along the way.

In this enlightening conversation, Jim shares his remarkable path from coaching amateur clubs in England to leading the Queensland Reds to Super Rugby glory and eventually becoming Australia's attack coach. His story is a masterclass in resilience, culture-building, and authentic leadership.

Jim reveals how he defines culture as "how we're perceived and how we want to be perceived," emphasizing that values must emerge collaboratively rather than be...

Ever wonder how a guy who started his working life digging holes transformed into a rising star in rugby coaching? Ryan Schultz's journey from manual laborer to head coach at Canberra Vikings reveals the gritty reality behind professional coaching success.

In this illuminating conversation with host Ben Herring, Ryan peels back the curtain on his coaching philosophy built around three core pillars: connection, development, and performance. He candidly shares how his early experiences – from pumping up footballs at his old school to coaching cricket teams – shaped his unique approach to leadership and culture-building in rugby.

What...

What makes championship teams truly exceptional? The answer might surprise you. It's not extraordinary talent, cutting-edge tactics, or even flawless execution during competition—it's what happens when nobody's keeping score.

Drawing from Sam Vestey's remarkable success with Northampton Saints, this episode reveals how elite teams deliberately build three critical foundations off the field: communication, organization, and connection. These aren't soft skills or nice-to-haves—they're the bedrock upon which championship performances are built. When Google researched what made their highest-performing teams successful, psychological safety emerged as the dominant factor, far outweighing individual brilliance or experience.

We expl...

What does it truly mean to build an authentic culture in high-performance sports? Greg Peters, whose remarkable 25-year career spans leadership roles at Bay of Plenty Rugby, New Zealand Rugby Union, the Hurricanes, Argentina Rugby, SANZAR, and now as CEO of New Zealand Rugby League, reveals the profound insights he's gathered from both sides of the rugby divide.

Peters challenges conventional wisdom about leadership, arguing that culture isn't about "words on a wall" but something tangible you can feel the moment you walk into a room. "I see my job as a leader in sport as being...

If you want to book Wal for your team you can reach her here: wal@walherring.com

or check out her womans wellness programs here: Walherring.com

What if everything you see on your body was made from what you ate at some point? This profound insight from sports nutritionist Wal Herring serves as the foundation for a revolutionary approach to nutrition and wellness. Drawing from her extensive experience with elite teams like Leicester Tigers and the English Rugby League, Wal shares how nutrition isn't just about physical performance but affects our mental clarity and...

What does it really mean to build a winning culture in sports? Few coaches can answer this question with the depth and global perspective of Mike Friday, international rugby sevens coach whose 25-year journey has taken him from England to Kenya to a decade with USA Rugby.

"Culture is a group of individuals that have alignment in the way they go about their business," Friday explains with refreshing simplicity. But beneath this straightforward definition lies a profound coaching philosophy centered on human connection. Friday draws a crucial distinction between kindness and niceness – you can deliver hard truths wi...

The quest for high performance in team sports often leads coaches down the wrong path. What if the secret to winning isn't about collecting the most talented individuals, but something far more fundamental?

Ben Darwin's groundbreaking research through Gainline Analytics has produced a data goldmine that challenges conventional wisdom about building successful teams. As I unpack five crucial insights from his work, you'll discover why cohesion—not star power—consistently predicts championship-level performance.

The numbers don't lie: teams with extensive shared experience outperform those assembled with supposedly superior individual talent. This phenomenon explains why certain comb...

What if everything you thought about building team culture was wrong? Chris Boyd, the celebrated coach who transformed teams from the Hurricanes to Northampton Saints, challenges conventional wisdom by arguing that "culture grows organically and internally" rather than being imposed from above.

Drawing from decades of experience across multiple continents, Boyd reveals the leadership principles that have made him one of rugby's most respected coaches. His refreshing approach emphasizes giving players the confidence to express themselves while creating environments where skills flourish under pressure. "The biggest difference I felt I made at Northampton was ultimately giving them...

The difference between good coaches and great ones isn't found in tactical knowledge or technical expertise—it's their ability to read people. This fascinating exploration of interpersonal sensitivity reveals why the world's elite coaches prioritize human connection before anything else.

High-performance manager Chris Webb, who has worked with multiple World Cup rugby teams, shares his powerful observation: "The real difference comes down to interpersonal sensitivity—your ability to read a moment, read a room, read a person." This skill—noticing what matters even when it's not said aloud—creates the foundation for exceptional coaching relationships and team performa...

What makes a great coach? Joey Mongalo, defense coach at the Sharks in Durban, doesn't hesitate when answering this question: it's the ability to understand context, connect authentically, and treat leadership as a core skill rather than a "soft" one.

Joey brings extraordinary perspective to coaching culture as someone with both elite rugby coaching experience and multiple academic degrees, including industrial psychology. His approach bridges technical expertise with profound human understanding. "Culture is simply the way we do things here," he explains, stripping away complexity to reveal what truly matters in building effective teams.

The...

The silent opponent every coach must face isn't on the field—it's within. This episode dives deep into the complex relationship coaches have with their egos and how mastering (not eliminating) this powerful force can transform your leadership.

Drawing from wisdom shared by elite coaches like Steve Hansen and John Wooden, we explore the crucial distinction between healthy competitive drive and an under-controlled ego. Your ego supplies the fire that fuels excellence, but when left unchecked, it creates blind spots that limit growth and damage team culture. Players mirror what they see—making your relationship with your own...

Seilala Mapusua takes us on a profound journey through the cultural landscapes of rugby, drawing from his remarkable career spanning from Samoa to New Zealand's Otago, London Irish in England, and Japan's Kubota Spears.

At the heart of this conversation lies a powerful coaching philosophy: "Connect with the person, then you can coach the player." Mapusua reveals how this approach becomes especially crucial when working with Pacific Island players, whose cultural foundations rest firmly on family and faith. For coaches seeking to truly engage with these athletes, understanding their family context often means reaching out directly to...

When James Dolman steps onto a rugby field to referee a test match, he carries years of mental preparation, relationship-building, and self-reflection with him. In this revealing conversation with Ben Herring, Dolman takes us behind the scenes of elite officiating, exploring the psychological challenges that come with making split-second decisions under immense pressure.

"The struggle is trying to be a perfectionist," Dolman admits, describing the mental battle that follows high-stakes matches. Unlike players who can move forward quickly after games, referees often spend days analyzing decisions and processing feedback. This perpetual pursuit of improvement drives top officials...

What separates championship team cultures from the rest? For legendary All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith, it comes down to something invisible yet incredibly powerful: "that feeling that binds you all together."

Drawing from his extraordinary career spanning 185 games for the Highlanders and 124 tests for the All Blacks, Smith reveals the stark contrasts between navigating life as both an underdog and a world-beater simultaneously. The Highlanders' 2015 championship season emerged from what Smith calls "pain" - struggling teams that transformed adversity into brotherhood through their "1-39" philosophy where every squad member had equal voice and value.

Smith's...

What makes a truly meaningful team culture? It's not just putting values on a wall or running team-building exercises. According to Ben Herring, it requires a deliberate framework with three essential components working together to form what he calls your "culture circle."

The first component challenges conventional thinking about success. While public definitions of success—winning championships, hitting targets, earning promotions—certainly matter, they create an emotional rollercoaster when they become your only measure. That's why Herring advocates developing private definitions of success focused on growth and development. He shares a powerful story about a shy player he t...

When a coach with 42 years of experience and three World Cup titles speaks, the rugby world listens. Mike Cron, forwards coach for the Wallabies and veteran of 217 All Blacks matches, opens up about the coaching philosophy that's made him a legend in the sport.

What makes a great rugby culture? According to Cron, it starts with having "an aim or goal that's higher than an individual" and creating a safe learning environment where players can take risks without fear. The traditional dynamic of coach-as-dictator is outdated – today's effective coaching involves a "very thin line" between coach and pl...

Ever wondered why certain coaches' words stick with you for decades? That's not coincidence – it's the powerful alchemy of language and leadership.

Words shape our reality as coaches and leaders. When we speak, we're not merely giving instructions or feedback – we're literally creating the internal dialogue that plays in our athletes' minds long after practice ends. This episode explores the profound neurochemical impact of coaching language: positive reinforcement triggers dopamine, enhancing motivation and learning, while negative criticism spikes cortisol, shutting down the very cognitive functions athletes need most.

Through personal stories from my rugby career and...

Dan Bowden's rugby journey spans three continents and multiple elite environments, from the Crusaders' player-led culture to Leicester Tigers' strict framework. Now, as attack coach for Japan's national team, he's blending these experiences into something uniquely effective.

Standing in the coach's box after Japan's stunning 24-19 victory over Wales, Bowden wasn't simply celebrating. He was already analyzing what they could improve. "Don't get me wrong. It was wonderful, but we played poorly," he explains. "We're one of the best attacking teams in the world, top three for most metrics. However, on the weekend we conceded the ball...

"Act as if it's impossible to fail." Those words from a 1932 book became a rallying cry for the Boston Free Jacks during their historic championship season. Head coach Ryan Martin reveals the remarkable human-centered strategies behind his team's unprecedented third consecutive MLR championship.

Martin's approach defies conventional wisdom. When most coaches would double down on training, he reduced practice to just 47 minutes including warm-up during the championship run. Instead of elaborate plays, he focused on creating crystal-clear understanding: "What was it we were trying to do and did we do that or not? Get it that simple."...

From the heat of championship matches to the quiet moments of career transition, James Marshall's coaching journey offers a masterclass in modern rugby leadership. The former Hurricane turned Crusaders backs and attack coach reveals how authentic connection has become his coaching superpower, allowing him to build relationships that transcend the traditional coach-player dynamic.

At the heart of Marshall's approach lies a radical commitment to player empowerment. Rather than clinging to control, he embraces collaboration—gathering opinions from key players, challenging ideas constructively, and sometimes taking "a loss" on tactical decisions to build trust. This philosophy flips conventional co...

What's the difference between teams that thrive under pressure and those that crumble? It's not just talent or resources—it's culture. In this thought-provoking episode, I take you beyond buzzwords to explore why culture truly serves as the heartbeat of high-performing teams.

Culture lives in that gray, hard-to-measure space that surrounds all the visible parts of performance. I share my galaxy analogy: your skills and techniques are like stars, but culture is the rich, dark matter that allows those stars to truly shine. The deeper and richer this background becomes, the more brilliantly your team's talents can em...

Simon Cron, head coach of the Western Force, opens up just days before his team's monumental clash with the British and Irish Lions—a once-in-a-generation opportunity that comes around only every 12 years. With remarkable candor, he reveals his approach to preparing players for high-pressure situations through mental clarity rather than tactical complexity.

"You're not trying to think a whole lot, you're just trying to do, and that's the only way you can get it done," Cron explains, sharing how overthinking paralyzes performance. His philosophy of "mindset, skill set, structure" provides a framework not just for individual training se...

What truly makes a winning team culture? According to Kenny Lynn, Argentina Rugby's attack coach, it's "the environment you create to maximize the potential of the group." Fresh off orchestrating Argentina's historic victory over the British and Irish Lions, Kenny dives deep into the cultural foundations that make winning possible.

Kenny shares a refreshingly authentic approach to high-performance coaching, revealing how Argentina's unique situation—with players scattered across European clubs—becomes their greatest strength. "For these players, this is their chance to be truly Argentinian," he explains, highlighting how national identity fuels performance. Rather than fighting this real...

Ben Darwin, former Wallaby prop turned analytics expert, reveals how his company Gainline Analytics is revolutionizing our understanding of team performance through the measurement of cohesion. This eye-opening conversation challenges conventional wisdom about team building, showing that cohesion (shared understanding between players) is more crucial to success than many traditional metrics.

Darwin breaks down the difference between culture (normative behaviors within a team) and cohesion (the actual on-field connections). Through analysis of 80,000+ games, he demonstrates how cohesion directly correlates with winning percentages across different sports. The numbers are striking - teams making frequent lineup changes after losses...

Tony Brown's approach to coaching is refreshingly straightforward in a world that often overcomplicates the game. "I'm a rugby man first, then a coach second," he explains, revealing how his deep love for the sport drives everything he does. This authenticity forms the cornerstone of his coaching philosophy: create systems that are "easy to learn, simple to understand, but challenging to execute."

Brown's journey spans the globe – from his native Otago and the Highlanders in New Zealand to successful stints in Japan and now as attack coach for South Africa's national team. Throughout these experiences, he's developed a...

What makes rugby's culture so distinct, and how does it translate across different countries and contexts? In this fascinating conversation, Phil Davies—Director of Rugby at World Rugby—shares wisdom gleaned from 35 years at every level of the game, from player to global administrator.

Davies reveals the core elements that build winning team environments: "An environment of belonging where people feel trusted, respected, and safe." But as he explains, these aren't just platitudes—they must be embodied through consistent actions and behaviors. Drawing from his experiences coaching Namibia to two World Cups (including their historic first win agains...

What separates good coaches from great ones? Geoff Parling reveals the answer goes beyond technical expertise to something deeper – creating environments where players thrive under pressure.

Having transitioned from an illustrious playing career (Newcastle, Leicester, Exeter, England, British & Irish Lions) to coaching the Melbourne Rebels and Australian national team, Parling brings unique perspectives on leadership. He challenges conventional wisdom about what builds excellence, particularly in forward packs where the dark, challenging work happens.

Parling's most powerful insight might be his approach to stress. Rather than removing it, he advocates for "growth stress" – like trees in a bi...

What does championship preparation actually look like? Two days before the European Champions Cup final against Bordeaux, Northampton Saints head coach Sam Vesty pulls back the curtain on his approach to cultivating a winning team culture.

The conversation reveals Sam's refreshingly counterintuitive leadership philosophy. Rather than adding pressure during finals week, he focuses on reconnecting players with their childhood joy for rugby, even announcing the team using photos of players as 10-year-olds. "What would your childhood self want?" becomes a powerful reminder to play with freedom rather than fear.

Sam challenges numerous rugby traditions, including...

What does it take to build the most successful rugby talent pipeline in the world? Paul Galland, Head Academy Manager for the Crusaders, pulls back the curtain on the organization that consistently produces more All Blacks than any other in New Zealand.

The secret starts with a seemingly simple philosophy: actions over words. When you walk into the Crusaders facility, you experience a culture where genuine care and authentic relationships form the foundation for everything else. Staff don't just instruct—they participate. Leaders don't just direct—they serve. The entire organization rallies around community causes because they unde...

What happens when a coach who's traversed the globe leading elite teams for nearly three decades opens up about his most profound lessons? John Mitchell, whose remarkable career spans from All Blacks Head Coach to his current role with England's women's national team, reveals the transformative journey that reshaped his entire approach to leadership.

Mitchell's philosophy is deceptively simple yet powerful: "Your leadership determines your culture, your culture determines your behavior, and behavior determines results." But arriving at this clarity required a harrowing personal experience. After being tied up with mobile phone wire, stabbed during an attack...

A masterclass in coaching philosophy with former Wallaby forward Matt Cockbain who unpacks the delicate art and science of building championship cultures across continents. Drawing from 15 years of professional coaching experience spanning Australia, Japan, and international rugby, Cobain shares profound insights about leadership that transcends technical skills.

"The head coach coaches the head" emerges as a powerful central theme throughout our conversation. Matt reveals how mental preparation forms the cornerwork of elite performance, sharing personal techniques like writing down specific game tasks and action words that helped define his playing career – techniques he now passes on to hi...

What turns a group of talented individuals into champions? Mike Ruddock OBE—architect of Wales' historic 2005 Grand Slam—reveals it's about finding a cause worth fighting for.

Ruddock takes us on a journey through the essence of team culture, from his early days coaching "super flops" Swansea to international glory. With refreshing honesty, he shares how posting negative press clippings created a siege mentality that transformed underperformers into winners. "If you've got an overarching cause to fight for," Ruddock explains, "that was our focus—and in beating our local rivals, we won the league."

The conver...

Scott Lawrence, a pivotal figure in USA Rugby, joins us for an enlightening conversation that straddles the line between sport and data science. Drawing from his humble beginnings in the Midwest to his role as head coach and general manager, Scott shares the unique influences that have shaped his leadership style. He underscores the importance of both strategic thinking and community values, using his experiences from Life University and his time in the UK as a backdrop. We explore how Scott has blended his background in computational mathematics with his passion for rugby to craft a successful program that...

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.

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Discover 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...

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 ho...

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...

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...

Rugby has always been about far more than the scoreboard. At its heart, it's about belonging—being part of something bigger than ourselves. Few understand this better than Glenn Delaney, whose coaching journey has taken him from Nottingham to London Irish, Canterbury, the Highlanders, the Scarlets, and now Mitsubishi in Japan.

"Culture is an observation that others make of you," Glenn explains, breaking down his triangular leadership philosophy of values, behaviors, and identity. Rather than prescribing rigid behaviors, he focuses on understanding what each player brings and how their natural tendencies can strengthen the collective. This approach ac...

Trust and connection are the cornerstones of any winning sports culture. In this engaging episode, we're joined by rugby legend James O'Connor, who reflects on his incredible journey in professional sports. With nearly two decades under his belt, James shares his unique insights on how coaching significantly shapes team dynamics and individual performances.

Coaches play an instrumental role in creating an environment where players feel safe, valued, and heard. James emphasizes that open and honest communication is essential for building trust. He discusses the importance of authentic relationships and how they not only enhance function on the...

Chris Webb, a luminary in high-performance sports management, shares captivating stories from his tenure in rugby, spanning World Cups with top teams like Australia and Japan. Tune in as Chris recounts his journey from rural New South Wales with aspirations of becoming a stock and station agent, to a career in rugby management. His reflections on people management and the value of making each day meaningful provide valuable life lessons, offering listeners wisdom from both his professional and personal experiences. 

Explore the forward-thinking initiatives in rugby that focus on player welfare and career development, demonstrating how the s...

Rugby enthusiasts and culture aficionados alike, prepare for a fascinating conversation with Paul Tito, affectionately known in the rugby world as "Fish." A seasoned veteran whose career spans over 25 years, Paul shares his journey from New Plymouth Boys High School to captaining renowned teams like the New Zealand Maori and Cardiff. Discover how his transition from player to coach has been fueled by a commitment to fostering team culture and leadership. With his trademark honesty and humor, Paul offers insights into the challenges faced by structured rugby nations and the enduring importance of camaraderie and genuine connections, even in...

Renowned rugby coach Johan Ackerman joins us to reveal the secret to building a successful team culture — one that emerges organically from the collective rather than being imposed from the top down. Through his experiences across the globe and his time in the police force, Johan explores how fostering a supportive environment where players contribute to the team's cultural fabric is key. Listen as he shares insights on balancing professional and personal relationships, especially when coaching his own son, and how these elements mold a cohesive and resilient team.

Discover how team-building activities like barbecues and shared ga...

Kieran Crowley, a rugby legend and former All Black, joins us to unlock the secrets of building team culture across borders. Discover how Kieran's journey from New Zealand to Canada and Italy has shaped his understanding of cultural dynamics in international rugby coaching. His stories from the field provide a rich tapestry of insights into the delicate art of managing diverse teams, navigating logistical challenges, and embracing the existing cultures before making impactful changes. Trust and loyalty emerge as cornerstones of his coaching philosophy, offering a masterclass in effective team management.

As we traverse through the complexities...

Rugby legend Steve Hansen joins us to unravel the secrets of building an unbreakable team culture. Discover how the invisible thread of shared values can bind not just sports teams but businesses and families too. Steve shares his philosophy that team priorities should always come first, offering practical insights on fostering open dialogue and making tough decisions when individual goals clash with the collective vision. Through his experiences, we learn the importance of living these values consistently from the top down.

We take a closer look at the distinction between expectations and culture within organizations, shedding light...

What if the key to a thriving sports team lies not just in strategy, but in deeply understanding its cultural fabric? Join us as we sit down with the legendary coach Eddie Jones, who unpacks the essence of culture and leadership in sports. Eddie shares captivating stories from his coaching journey at Leicester, with the Springboks, and the Japanese team, illustrating how recognizing and respecting a team's core cultural values can lead to remarkable growth. Discover how authenticity and player feedback reveal not only individual strengths but also the deeper values that drive team success.

As societal...

I’m Ben Herring, and I want to welcome you to Coaching Culture with Ben Herring. If you’re looking to sharpen your coaching craft by exploring more than just drills and tactics, you’ve come to the right place.

Coaching Culture is your weekly deep-dive into the often-overlooked “softer skills” of coaching—cultural innovation, communication, empathy, leadership, 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 their biggest failures and what they learnt from them. This is where...