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World Class: How to Lead, Learn and Grow like a Champion
What gives the world's best leaders the edge? Will Greenwood is best known for being an integral part of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning team. Ben Fennell has spent over 16 years helping the world's biggest businesses and brands grow. Together, they have established that world-class performance - in both business and sport - requires a fresh approach, and a new set of behaviours.Having spoken to inspirational leaders across all areas of business and sport, including Michael Johnson, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Rio Ferdinand, Dame Carolyn McCall, Dave Lewis and Sir Clive Woodward, the authors have identified the key characteristics of world-class performance. These guiding principles of celebrating difference, forging togetherness and accelerating growth constitute a new framework for modern leadership. Packed with insightful personal stories, and often painfully learnt lessons, Will and Ben offer a new playbook for world-class leadership, learning and growth.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2021
13 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 6, 2022
After being gifted this book at a work conference where I had a chance to meet one of the authors Will Greenwood (who unfortunately needed to leave before I got a chance to talk rugby with him), I thought I’d give it a read.
I was pleasantly surprised with the way the sports narratives the are presented are genuinely interweaved with real business lessons. The anecdotes and story’s from the sports world don’t fee shoehorned in or unnecessary they support and make the learnings easier to understand and digest.
Although this book is written with leaders in mind it offers lessons for everyone, there is a difference between management and leadership. I will definitely take lessons from this book on board and take them forward with me, possibly even revisit certain chapters for advice and inspiration if I ever make a big change in my career.
I was pleasantly surprised with the way the sports narratives the are presented are genuinely interweaved with real business lessons. The anecdotes and story’s from the sports world don’t fee shoehorned in or unnecessary they support and make the learnings easier to understand and digest.
Although this book is written with leaders in mind it offers lessons for everyone, there is a difference between management and leadership. I will definitely take lessons from this book on board and take them forward with me, possibly even revisit certain chapters for advice and inspiration if I ever make a big change in my career.
March 7, 2024
"World Class: How to Lead, Learn and Grow like a Champion" by Ben Fennell and Will Greenwood offers a compelling blend of leadership insights drawn from the worlds of business and sports. With Fennell's extensive experience as a CEO and Greenwood's background as a professional rugby player, the authors provide a unique perspective on what it takes to excel in competitive environments. Through a combination of personal anecdotes and practical advice, they outline strategies for cultivating a winning mindset, fostering effective teamwork, and continuously striving for improvement. Whether you're a business leader looking to elevate your organization or an athlete seeking to maximize your potential, this book offers valuable lessons on how to achieve world-class performance.
One of the book's strengths lies in its emphasis on the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. Fennell and Greenwood stress the value of embracing challenges, learning from failure, and staying resilient in the face of adversity. Drawing on their own experiences of overcoming obstacles and achieving success, they provide readers with actionable strategies for staying ahead in a rapidly changing world. "World Class" is a must-read for anyone committed to pursuing excellence in their chosen field, offering a wealth of wisdom and inspiration for aspiring champions everywhere.
One of the book's strengths lies in its emphasis on the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. Fennell and Greenwood stress the value of embracing challenges, learning from failure, and staying resilient in the face of adversity. Drawing on their own experiences of overcoming obstacles and achieving success, they provide readers with actionable strategies for staying ahead in a rapidly changing world. "World Class" is a must-read for anyone committed to pursuing excellence in their chosen field, offering a wealth of wisdom and inspiration for aspiring champions everywhere.
June 17, 2022
In a sentence: An easy read that weaves leadership theories with anecdotes from a range of sports people and marketing executives.
In a paragraph: A good introduction to, or recap of, self-leadership and decision-making. As a sports fan, I enjoyed the range of stories from different athletes about mental models and strategies used to achieve peak performance. I particularly liked the chapter on well-being.
In closing: An interesting, easy-to-read guide, with plenty of one liners and stories to help inform your approach to leadership.
In a paragraph: A good introduction to, or recap of, self-leadership and decision-making. As a sports fan, I enjoyed the range of stories from different athletes about mental models and strategies used to achieve peak performance. I particularly liked the chapter on well-being.
In closing: An interesting, easy-to-read guide, with plenty of one liners and stories to help inform your approach to leadership.
July 26, 2022
Wonderful book, I liked the theme - difference, together and growth. Adding real life experience from the world champion gives the extra edge.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews