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One Step Ahead: On the field and in the boardroom
Rod Macqueen's practical philosophy of teamwork and inspiration has taken him to the very top. As a businessman he has successfully built up a multi-million dollar merchandising business. And as coach of Australia's national Rugby Union side, the Wallabies, he has led his team to World Cup and Bledisloe Cup victories, as well as winning the Tri-Nations championship. And he's done it using his own unusual techniques.
Forget the red-faced bellowing cliche of a coach in action. Macqueen's style is so relaxed his players nicknamed him Cones - as in, he must have been out the back having some before the match to stay this cool. This is a bloke who gave each of his great, hulking players a single red rose when they reached the finals of the World Cup, as a way of reminding them to take time out from worrying about what would happen next to enjoy what they'd already achieved.
Those who work with him or are coached by him cannot speak highly enough of Macqueen's abilities to lead, motivate and direct people to success. And now he shares that philosophy, via this book, and shows how anyone can apply it to business or other areas of life in order to succeed.
Forget the red-faced bellowing cliche of a coach in action. Macqueen's style is so relaxed his players nicknamed him Cones - as in, he must have been out the back having some before the match to stay this cool. This is a bloke who gave each of his great, hulking players a single red rose when they reached the finals of the World Cup, as a way of reminding them to take time out from worrying about what would happen next to enjoy what they'd already achieved.
Those who work with him or are coached by him cannot speak highly enough of Macqueen's abilities to lead, motivate and direct people to success. And now he shares that philosophy, via this book, and shows how anyone can apply it to business or other areas of life in order to succeed.
372 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 11, 2024
Every aspiring coach and leader needs to read this book. What a man Rod is. It also revisits a period in Australian Rugby where patriotism is embraced and accepted. A golden sporting age for all Australians.
October 19, 2015
I've been a rugby fan since I started playing as a schoolboy, and the 90s are definitely my most favoured period for the Wallabies. This book is a great look at how Rod MacQueen, one of Australia's greatest coaches, developed his philosophies on coaching, teamwork and business, and how he then applied these philosophies in bringing our rugby teams into the professional era, culminating in our 1999 Rugby World Cup success.
There are some great lessons in here, and it's an enjoyable read. The only downside is that it is very focussed on Rod (as to be expected), to the point that you'd be forgiven for wondering if professional rugby could even exist without him! The only negatives covered about his approach or personality are that he might have been a bit of a prankster. Aside from that minor quibble, a good book.
There are some great lessons in here, and it's an enjoyable read. The only downside is that it is very focussed on Rod (as to be expected), to the point that you'd be forgiven for wondering if professional rugby could even exist without him! The only negatives covered about his approach or personality are that he might have been a bit of a prankster. Aside from that minor quibble, a good book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews