HOW RUGBY INSTITUTES SHAPE THE LEADERS OF THE FUTURE

What we can Learn from Siya Kolisi

Siya Kolisi in his post -match interview this past weekend, after the brutal Ireland and South Africa world-cup winning side clash, expressed the importance of great leadership , and for it to rise from our youth in South Africa.

He explained how it is not about the colour of his own skin being named the “first black captain” of South African rugby but rather the ability to lead his team members from diverse players from such very different backgrounds- and socio- economic differences. It is about embracing diversity and the power within it, solving problems, and building trust with effective leadership. 

A rainbow nation’s reality

South Africa is a rainbow nation, the realities of on-field challenges of a multi- cultural rugby team is also evident from any locker room to boardroom, as well as our own South-African government. It takes a special leader to unlock this power within diversity, and the truth is nothing has taught us more on this particular subject as a nation, than our Springbok team under Siya’s and Rassie Erasmus’s leadership. “Sport has the power to change the world”- famous quote by Mr Nelson Mandela during the 1995 world-cup. He also said, as Francois Pienaar lifted the famous Webb Ellis trophy, that “ Sport is a language that our youth understands”.

Siya, who has won two rugby world cups for rugby South Africa, has invited young South Africans to stand up and become the next generation leaders, that will carry this legacy forward and lead with intention, achieve success, cross barriers of race, language and culture and learn to embrace the beautiful differences in our DNA! 

At UXi International Rugby Institutes, management and coaches strive to cultivate and nurture leadership through the accredited Life Skills program offered, the composition of the various national institute players are very diverse in every way, as such players have the opportunity to practise their leadership styles and lessons learnt from a Siya and other successful rugby captains in South Africa at our institutes, as we are fortunate to have so many role-models in a leadership role, that we also continue study for best practice in South African rugby.

 UXi also challenges players to look at successful businessmen and women in leadership as their success stories in business also teach valuable lessons for on-field success. TEAMWORK is the only key to success, but also to unlock the power of TEAM we have to understand the heart behind every jersey in the team and fully understand the group of people we have to work with.

Our current era

We live in an era where urgent leadership and leadership qualities  are required in our communities and families. It is easier to follow than to lead in today’s world.Effective leaders must be willing to accept criticism and pressure from team mates as well as superiors, as a leader is always expected to perform and out- perform. UXi teaches their players the hard realities of Life and unlock the composition of their own identities. Self-awareness and identity are keys to growing into a future leader with an individual leadership style, it takes as much work, practise, and a lifetime of mistakes to become a great leader, and even then, you must be able to continuously evolve and learn within your management style. 

That is the true quality of a natural leader, to be able to listen and accept that you are not always right and actively seek to never allow setbacks or criticism to derail you from your vision. We also need to realise that there are different types of leadership styles, and studying towards a qualification in leadership will bring understanding of these. 

Mental toughness and resilience are naturally taught in sport- and it is for this reason that learning from sport for life is so powerful. Add academic studies into an environment where you are practising a sports code you love, evolve as an athlete and leader, whilst also ensuring the knowledge and skills academically and it has the power to change our youth, our country and our society!

There is no more powerful combination than that of sport development and academic studies added together in a disciplined structure, to cultivate our next generation of good leaders in South Africa and even 12 years of school education will not teach these stills. 

Key take-aways?

1)       How can I become an effective leader in sport?

By practising your leadership skills in an environment that will allow you to learn and grow, develop confidence, and communication skills by practising and doing the same on a daily basis. The UXi rugby institutes place a high value on developing soft skills for life. Their rugby development environments attract players from all over South Africa and internationally, making it the ideal learning environment for a future leader.

2)       Do I require any special training to become a rugby captain?

Leadership skills come naturally for a lot of individuals- some might not even know they possess these skills if it is not unlocked and nurtured in the right manner. An individual does not become a great leader overnight, it takes a lot of learning through mistakes, studying great leader’s attributes and cultivating the habits of a great leader. Studies in management will most definitely give a clear understanding of the differences between managers and leaders, it will teach the fundamental principles- however, the softer skills such as communication, perception, listening skills, overcoming cultural diversity can only be taught by following an accredited Life Skills program in sport such as the one offered by UXi Sport. Leaders must also learn to adapt constantly to change, think back to the covid-19 pandemic and imagine who this shaped our leaders for the future. 

References;

1)       UXi Sport- uxisport.co.za