But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
This is post #20 in a series of 20 posts in a book I just finished. It contains leadership insights from the most victorious team in sports history (winning percentage = 86% as of the writing of the book): The All Blacks, The New Zealand National Rugby Union Team.
I. Sweep the Sheds. Never be too big to do the small things that need to be done.
II. Go for the Gap. When you’re on top of your game, change your game.
III. Play with Purpose. Ask ‘Why?’
IV. Pass the Ball. Leaders create leaders.
V. Create a Learning Environment. Leaders are teachers.
VI. No Dickheads. Follow the spearhead.
VII. Embrace Expectations. Aim for the highest cloud.
VIII. Train to Win. Practice under pressure.
IX. Keep a Blue Head. Control your attention.
X. Know Thyself. Keep it real.
XI. Sacrifice. Find something you would die for and give your life to it.
XII. Invent a Language. Sing your world into existence.
XIII. Ritualize to Actualize. Create a culture.
XIV. Be a Good Ancestor. Plant trees you’ll never see.
XV. Write Your Legacy. This is your time.
James Kerr in Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About The Business of Life (London: Constable, 2013) 184-185.
If you enjoyed the quotes from this book with me, feel free to share them from the Daily Meditations Archive with others. If not, then good news, today’s the last post. And if words in this list are unclear, buy the book and read it. It’s worth every penny.
I’ve returned from a fruitful trip to South America and am resting today. I plan to review this list again and will pick a few points that I will lean into to help my generosity go to another level. I’d encourage you to do the same. The All Blacks legacy is stellar. I want that to be said of your legacy. It will only happen if you aim high.
Followers of Jesus are a special people called to a higher purpose. To fulfill that purpose we must focus on being the people God wants us to be, knowing the things He wants us to know, and living with purpose and intentionality that may look crazy to the rest of the world, but will position us to leave a legacy that will impact generations.
Don’t aim to be an All Black. Aim to be a Great All Black that focuses on the First XV.