Not Everything Counts but Everything Matters

by Ivan Cleary

How connection and courage teach us to win - an NRL leadership story, from the history-making coach who pulled off the impossible to inspire, mentor and lead a grassroots club to the pinnacle of performance and become the undisputed champions of the league


It's described as the greatest achievement the modern game has seen, and Ivan Cleary is the man behind it - the astonishing, historic benchmark of multiple back-to-back premiership wins by the Penrith Panthers in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

In his own words, Cleary tells all about what he's learned and how he leads, informed by his decades as a player and coach - a playmaker, team builder, mentor and leader who understands that not everything counts, but everything matters. Drawing on his years of experience - professional and personal - Cleary shares insights into his success, including the value of persistence, the power of culture, community and connection, facing your fears and tackling them head-on, the architecture of achievement - and the importance of risking it all.

He also delves deep into his work with one of the most diverse teams in the league, the challenges he faces as leader, and how to inspire a team of individuals to hall-of-fame team greatness, including working with his son, Nathan, the Panthers co-captain, regarded as the best player in the league, as well as the young, talented players who have come up through the local club and the superstar players who represent the exciting and changing face of the game.

With a foreword by former All Blacks coach John Hart, an afterword from Nathan Cleary, and insights from Isaah Yeo, Api Koroisau and former Panthers Head of Performance Hayden Knowles, this powerful book reveals how to create a champion team.

Genres: Autobiography, Leadership, Nonfiction

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Pre Shunmugam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read if you’re a Panthers fan or into the NRL. There’s some good leadership stuff in it, but nothing new that hasn’t been said before in other leadership books.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do love a sports memoir, and it is so interesting to read about coaching. The NRL is such a demanding, high intensity competition, and the pressure faced by coaches is pretty relentless. Reading about how Clearly has overcome some significant challenges, pivoted, and built a formidable club culture at Penrith was compelling. A niche interest for me, but to be lapped up by all other fans of the greatest game on earth.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this one. It's such a great insight into the game of rugby league and arguably the best team of the modern era. I loved the detail Ivan goes into about strategy, philosophy and team culture. I enjoyed the narration too.

[Jake Legge · Rating 4 out of 5]

What stood out most wasn’t just the success stories, but how openly he talks about the mental struggles that come with pressure, self-doubt, and burnout. It’s refreshing to see someone at the top of their game admit the hard parts and show that resilience comes from being honest about how you’re really feeling.

[Tom Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up the wahs

[Mike Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book and I’m not a panthers fan. I didn’t know that much about Ivan Cleary before reading this book but it is clear he is a brilliant modern sport leader and has some great advice for living and going for your goals. An advocate for mental health and family and a man that so many could learn from. This was a great read.

[Sofie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When the team wins, it's the players and when the team loses, it's the coach."

As many of you know I am obsessed with rugby league and have been counting down the days until the 2025 season starts up again! When @ange told me about Ivan's book I couldn't wait to dive in and what a wonderful memoir it was!

It was such an amazing journey to see what it took to get the Panthers to where they are currently and the inner monologue of one of the most aspiring and confident coaches in the NRL. The bravery Ivan showed talking about his mental struggles was so special to read knowing those who are achieving so much can still have their dark days.

Really loved the chapters that we got an input of Ivan from others eyes through John Hart, Isaah Yeo, Api Koroisau and the afterword by Nathan Cleary.

If you're missing the NRL season as much as me or would just like to see inside the life of one of the greatest coaches of our time I definitely recommend giving this memoir a go 💜

[Julian Sin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is was a such a hands down a really good book to any Panthers fans or NRL lovers I loved it Comming from a Panthers fan I loved this book so much things you didn’t even know about the life of Ivan one of the best coaches is in this book. written by himself we get to find out his struggles and how he got from being not such a good coach to a top class 4 peat winner. Overall such the best book I have read so far.

[Chris Krynen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like a bit of philosophy thrown in with the odd footy yarn then this book is the ticket. An easy read that, with a bit of thought and reflection, packs a punch about the right way to go about things.

[Jarod Leis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a bias review.
Great insight and a good read.

[Stephen Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding insight to the best coach in the modern NRL era.

[Sarah Sadeghi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

[D.A. Cairns · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a big rugby league fan and although not a Panthers, I'd admire their four-peat. Four successive NRL premiership titles. This book was recommended to me but I had a problem with the title from the start which may have coloured my opinion of the book. My pro Bulldogs - that's my team - attitude may have had an impact as well.

One thing I don't like about sports writing and commentary is the overuse of cliches. It's comical to lesson to people (experts) use the same words over and over again, sometimes even when they don't apply to the player or the situation.

Anyway, I digress. This book with a long title I could never remember to say properly, is a bit dull. It does contain some interesting background stuff about the players, tactics, and team ethos, but mostly it could have been about any team and written b anyone. The fact it was released on the eve of the Panther's attempt to win a fourth successive NRL title was clearly an attempt to sell something based on a trend rather than a high quality insight into winning.

I liked the layout of the book a lot; the sections whole page quotes, and the photos, but the most of the content was boring and cliched.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Summed Up: Resilient Rugby Tales

- - -
I’ve been working my way through a wide variety of sporting memoirs this year - surfing, swimming, AFL, tennis, paddling, boxing and now NRL!

While I’ll always be an AFL girl at heart, I’ve found myself enjoying watching the occasional NRL game over the past few years (even though I still can’t understand the rules of the game 😅) particularly following the success of the Penrith Panthers. So when I spotted Ivan Cleary’s book, I knew I had to dive in.

This wasn’t a traditional memoir but rather a thoughtful reflection on key moments and experiences that have shaped Ivan’s career and leadership style. His no nonsense approach to communication and leadership resonated deeply with me. Ivan’s honesty, particularly about his battle with depression, added an extra layer of depth and relatability to his story.

The book also featured contributions from others in Ivan’s life and career, highlighting the immense respect and admiration he has earned. Hearing how his leadership has influenced so many was inspiring.

While I didn’t fully understand all the sporting details, not being an NRL expert, that didn’t detract from my overall experience. This was an intelligent and inspiring read (or listen in my case, brilliantly narrated by Tamblyn Lord) that I believe even a non NRL fan could enjoy and learn from.

[chominx · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great write up of the success of the greatest NRL team of the modern era, plus Ivan's own origins as a player and his transition into coaching.

I love seeing introverts and hard workers succeed: nothing about Ivan and the Panthers' winning comes from luck and that's highlighted here in his breakdown of their process, determination and mindset.

Ivan also takes the opportunity to discuss his personal struggles with depression and mental health, and here's hoping that this act of vulnerability will encourage other men to do the same.

[TeeVigs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing. I've been a Tigers supporter since birth, but Penrith are my second team (I live in the area). The one thing that hit home about this book was the building of culture - my kids went to school in Penrith, and the players were often visiting the schools and spending time with the kids. Walk around Penrith on any given day and every second person is wearing merch of some description. The pride that the locals have in their team is enormous - and a huge part of that is due to Ivan and his Penrith team.

[James Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into the best coach of the 2020’s so far. I love how Ivan talked about the things he done wrong and learned from coaching through his career and how he approached certain situations. I wish he spoke more about his playing days as he was a good player back in the day but is mostly just known for his coaching now due to his coaching achievements. Would recommend this to anyone wanting to coach or coaching as it can help them going about player selections and other problems coaches may face. Good read

[Katie Miiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Panthers aren’t my team, but I’ve always held a soft spot for them. Ivan’s coaching practices reminded me a lot of Bennett. Was tough reading how they held belief to win the 2023 GF but it showed what my team was missing and is hopefully building now. A brilliant coach who’ll continue to make Penrith a force to be reckoned with.

[Hazy Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting insight about the man who led the Panthers to 4 NRL titles in a row. He explains the values and culture he has tried to create at the club and also his creative strategies to continue to keep his players hungry and motivated to continue to learn and succeed. This is something for all leaders to learn from not just coaches. Highly recommend.

[Kimberley Porters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting the insight into how Ivan Cleary coaches and creates his club culture is clearly displayed in how successful the Penrith panthers have been, if you are a NRL fan it is a great read, if you are looking for leadership skills Ivan has studied and learnt from successful leaders and passes on great ideas and skills !

[Jay Dwight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intelligent and articulate. From the outside, Cleary comes across as measured, reserved and respected, and this bio shows this to be accurate. He is as he appears, and reading of his development and growth as a coach and leader, it's easy to see why he is successful.

[Chrissie Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I am a Panthers fan but that aside, Ivan’s story is inspiring. I took so much away from this book that will support both my leadership role at work but also leading and supporting my family.

[Janice Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Very easy to read. I’m not a Panthers supporter but it is inspiring to see the sense of community they have created in the local area, with Ivan at the helm. I felt a sense of great peace and calmness reading the book which I believe is the vibe that Ivan conveys in his life.

[Bill Luders · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read, enabling a "behind the scene" personal experience view of how Ivan climbed from humble beginning to be one of Australia's best sports coaches.A 'must read' for any Rugby League followers.

[Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book about how to create a culture that wins, whether in sport, family or business.

[Greer Jessie Fitzgibbon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Respect. A really interesting read and insight into life as a coach, with many lessons & perspectives that can be applied to life out of footy too

[Talei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super interesting book and that's coming from a west tigers supporter

[kylie johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read

An insight into what makes a club/team great.
No ego’s ,belief and plenty of bloody hard work.
For everyone,no matter your team or sport.

[Sarah Popham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearing the background and inner thoughts of Ivan Cleary makes me an even prouder Panthers fan. 🖤

[Geoffrey Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing book and story. Such an inspiration for anyone who manages a team or runs a business.