Book: Legacy
Author: James Kerr
It’s a book about how the best in the world became, and stayed, the best in the world.
The author studied the All Blacks, the legendary New Zealand rugby team. A turning point for them was a focus that “better people make better All Black’s”.
The book is structured around 15 tenets that drove the All Blacks success and that can be applied to business and life.
Primary takeaway:
Sweep the sheds – successful leaders balance pride with humility: absolute pride in performance; total humility before the magnitude of the task.
Secondary takeaways:
Go for the gap – when you’re on top of your game it’s time to pivot and change your game.
Create an environment of ongoing personal and professional development.
Champions do extra – find something you would die for and give your life to it.
Words start revolutions – tell good stories. Speak results into existence. You’re red hot!
Be a good ancestor – plant tree’s you’ll never see so others may sit in the shade.
Keep a blue head – assess, adjust, act.
Train to win – practice under pressure.
Create a high benchmark – a Big Hairy Audacious Goal.
No dickheads – a little water seeping through a small hole may sink a canoe.
Every human being needs mastery, autonomy, and purpose.
Quotable quotes:
“Don’t die like an octopus, die like a hammerhead shark.”
“Aim for the highest cloud, so that if you miss it you will hit a lofty mountain.”
“For the strength of the pack is the wolf. And the strength of the wolf is the pack.”
“The first stage of learning is silence. The second stage is listening.”
“He who has a ‘why’ to live for can bear almost any ‘how’.”
“What is my job on this planet? What is it that needs doing, that I know something about, that probably won’t happen unless I take responsibility for it?”
“Our values decide our character. Our character decides our value.”
“‘Tis death! ‘Tis death! I may die! I may die! ‘Tis life! ‘Tis life! I may live! I may live!”
“Judge yourself against the worlds best. Without question.”
“Great stories happen to those that tell them”.
About the author:
James Kerr is a renowned author and leadership consultant best known for his insightful work, "Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the Business of Life." Drawing from his experiences with one of the most successful sports teams in history, the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team, Kerr delves into the principles of leadership, teamwork, and performance excellence. Through compelling storytelling and practical wisdom, Kerr offers valuable lessons that transcend the world of sports, inspiring individuals and organizations to achieve greatness in their own pursuits.
Thank you Dan for sharing your takeaways. Legacy is one of those books that is worth re-reading from time to time, as the messages never get old. While contemplating on what I had journaled from James Kerr’s masterpiece, I suddenly remembered a quote from T.S. Eliot who says: “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” I reckon it’s up to every individual to decide what “legacy” they want to have and what price they are willing to pay for achieving their legacy, if any.
J.K. Wisely emphasises that: “…from listening comes knowledge, from knowledge comes understanding, from understanding comes wisdom, from wisdom comes well-being.” What is “well being” though, could be an interesting topic I’d love to know your thoughts on (considering how meticulously you plan your physical and mental health).
As always, I’m very grateful for having the opportunity to read your thoughts and takeaways.