We did a straw poll around the Faculty of a book that everyone has read and everyone enjoyed. Without question, Legacy by James Kerr was right up there.
This book may have been missed or overlooked because of the sporting connection and it shouldn’t put you off at all. Yes, the book is based around, arguably, the greatest sports institution of all time, the famed New Zealand All Blacks, but it isn’t a sports book at all.
Amazon’s review says:
In Legacy, best-selling author James Kerr goes deep into the heart of the world’s most successful sporting team, the legendary All Blacks of New Zealand, to reveal 15 powerful and practical lessons for leadership and business.
Legacy is a unique, inspiring handbook for leaders in all elds, and asks: What are the secrets of success – sustained success? How do you achieve world-class standards, day after day, week after week, year after year? How do you handle pressure? How do you train to win at the highest level? What do you leave behind you after you’re gone?
Personally, I love the book, it flows well and it’s an easy read. I know one of the Faculty has read or listened to this book 4 times to date!
Although the author references the All Blacks, he repeatedly pulls on many different books, authors and well known experts, some of which you would have read or be aware of, such as, Good to Great by Jim Collins and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. He references these to give easy and inspiring business lessons that we can all take into our businesses, regardless of sector or specialty.
He also uses lessons learnt from other great sporting leaders, coaches and managers that have lead great teams or achieved unrivalled levels of success like Vince Lombardi and John Wooden, which cements the learning in more conventional business books like those previously mentioned.
One of my favourite pieces talks about humility and we have talked a lot about this when setting up Renegades.
He writes, “Humility begins at the level of interpersonal communication, enabling an interrogative, highly facilitated learning environment in which no one has all the answers. Each individual is invited to contribute solutions to the challenges being posed. This is a key component of building sustainable competitive advantage through cultural cohesion. It leads to innovation, increased self-knowledge, and greater character.”
I for one, can speak for every member of the faculty and can say that we are passionate and wish to ensure, that Renegades will be talked about in the same way for many years to come.
James Kerr’s Legacy is available widely ISBN 978-1472103536
