Leadership: Lessons From My Life in Rugby

by Eddie Jones

What does it take to lead a team to world-class success over a sustained period of time?

Eddie Jones is one of the few leaders who truly knows. He has coached three different teams to three World Cup finals, and in the five years in charge of the England rugby union team he has won three Six Nations championship titles, including back-to-back championships and the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup.

In this inspirational and straight-talking book, Eddie reveals the secrets behind his extraordinary career and shows how any leader can apply these lessons in any walk of life.

He breaks down the cycle of success into five key areas: kick-off, build, test, perform, refresh. Within these areas he identifies the key elements of culture, identity, preparation, pressure, empowerment, responsibility, failure and legacy, to reveal the ingredients for not only making a great team, but for enjoying sustained success.

He draws on his own vast experience as well as lessons from other areas including companies such as Uniqlo, a US basketball team that hugely over-indexes on its success relative to its size, and Liverpool under Klopp.

Written with Donald McRae, two-time winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, On Leadership is the book for anyone who wants to learn how to build and lead a team to success.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2022

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know nothing of rugby so it’s not totally fair to review the book. But I wanted to see his thoughts on leadership. I am astonished by Eddie Jones’s seeming limitless commitment to learning and growing. He reaches out to people across the globe to learn from different sports coaches and different disciplines that will help him be a better coach, while also stoking a desire to be coached himself (and he shares the feedback with readers). For a 60 something year who clearly does not need to keep such a commitment to learning and growing, I find him fascinating.

As a book, the narrative was rather dry for me and the overt leadership lessons not so interesting. But what WAS instructive was his learning methodologies and his embrace of changing attitudes, especially in a sport that seems so hyper masculine.

[Dylan Villalobos · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Eddie Jones' 'Leadership: Lessons from My Life in Rugby' is an enlightening read that offers a deep dive into the mind of one of rugby's most respected and innovative coaches. Through the lens of his illustrious career, Jones provides readers with an intimate look at the highs and lows of leadership in the high-stakes world of international rugby.

Jones' narrative is as compelling as it is instructive, blending personal anecdotes with tactical insights and leadership philosophies. One of the book's standout features is Jones' candidness; he does not shy away from discussing his failures and the lessons learned from them, making the book not just a celebration of his successes but a humble reflection on continuous improvement and resilience.

A key theme in the book is adaptability. Jones emphasizes the importance of being able to change tactics, not just in the context of a single game, but also in managing teams over longer periods. His approach to leadership is dynamic, underpinned by a belief in the necessity of evolving with the game and its players. This adaptability is presented as a critical factor in his sustained success across different teams and cultures.

Jones also delves into the significance of building strong relationships and fostering a team culture that values honesty, hard work, and mutual respect. He illustrates how these elements are crucial for developing a winning mindset within the team, highlighting the role of effective communication and trust in achieving collective goals.

The book does an excellent job of distilling complex strategic concepts into accessible insights, making it valuable not only for those interested in rugby or sports management but also for leaders in any field. Jones' strategies for dealing with pressure, setting goals, and building team cohesion are universally applicable, offering readers practical advice for leading teams to success.

Moreover, Jones' reflections on the psychological aspects of coaching—managing different personalities, motivating underperforming players, and creating a positive mental environment—are particularly insightful. These discussions underscore the multifaceted nature of leadership, were success hinges not just on strategic acumen but also on emotional intelligence.

In conclusion, 'Leadership: Lessons from My Life in Rugby' is a masterclass in leadership from one of the most astute minds in the sport. Eddie Jones has crafted a book that is as informative as it is inspiring, providing readers with a rare glimpse into the challenges and rewards of leading at the highest level. Whether you're a rugby fan, a budding coach, or someone interested in leadership and management, this book offers valuable lessons that extend far beyond the rugby field."

[Brendan Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jones is excellent at applying the lessons he’s learned from his life as one of the best rugby coaches in the world to business, and his thesis stays connected throughout. My main quibble with sports books is the universal difficulty of not wanting to offend anyone by offering an opinion, and while Jones is often forthright he does tend to omit the names of those he criticises. Totally understandable, but nonetheless frustrating, this is still a worthwhile exercise.

[Coach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you coach Rugby, Soccer, or any sport for this matter, some gems in here make it worth the read. The writing is down to earth and while there is some rugby terminology that you might not be familiar with there isn't enough of it to distract you from getting the point. If you are looking for a good that talks about reaching great heights, this has some of that however this book is mostly about the process involved in leadership. Highly recommend.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far outside my usual reading genre and quite repetitive. I don’t think I have watched a Union match for the past decade but an inspiring book and I picked up some further reading ideas for teaching purposes. You don’t have to be a rugby stalwart to read and Jones seems like a direct, honest and hard working leader.

[Matt Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Top read with life and business lessons through the lens of Rugby and other professional sports and businesspeople Eddie has encountered. I'm no Rugby Union tragic but didn't feel alienated by the content and felt value from the lessons contained within.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with some great industry tips that can be applied to any profession/industry. Would highly reccomend.

[Fabio Saraiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic insight to Eddie Jones and his philosophy, coaching methods and mentality in elite sport.

[Nathan Hillier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Depths and perspectives of Eddy.

[Zaved Akhtar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably one of the best and practical book I read recently. Straight from a coaches eyes!

[Alexander Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid book from a master of his craft. Current events definitely display the drawbacks of his leadership style, but there are good lessons in consistency, listening and self reflection.

[Justin Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas and insights into the evolution of the England team but lacks real structure and lots of post event rationalisation. Overall disappointing for me.

[Shane Meade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got to admire his hunger to learn from others in other fields and study their success. Felt the book when back and forth too much for me.

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful read but a little repetitive and long