E157 - Jamie Peacock: Being the best at the things that require no talent

In the third of our series to celebrate the Rugby League World Cup, we are delighted to welcome Jamie Peacock, a man who has burnished his legendary status within the sport, by consistently doing “the things that require no talent” at the very moments when the pressure is at its greatest, the margins are at their narrowest and the competition is at its fiercest. In turn, he has acquired a medal haul which would fill a museum. He shares with us the transferrable lessons learnt along the way and which can be adopted into your own life.

Jamie was a leader through his example and helped shaped high performance cultures at Bradford, Leeds and England. The foundation stone on which these were built were accountability. “Tell people what you are going to do, then do it” is his succinct message. “This is how trust is created, nurtured and maintained.” 

This is a powerful, profound and incredibly practical interview which will leave you ready to create your own high performance culture. 

Listen back to the other episodes in the series;

Sam Burgess: https://apple.co/3sG3g7v

Lindsey Burrow: https://apple.co/3TPl6Rw

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

## Summary of the Podcast Episode:

The podcast episode features Jamie Peacock, a legendary rugby league player and coach, in conversation with Professor Damien Hughes. The discussion revolves around high performance, leadership, and decision-making in sports and life.

1. ### Definition of High Performance:
- Jamie Peacock defines high performance as a group of individuals who are dedicated to each other, the cause, and their own performances. He emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and taking ownership of commitments.


2. ### The "Time to Get Off the Bus" Story:
- Jamie shares a pivotal moment in his life when he was 19 and had the opportunity to train with the Bradford Bulls, a professional rugby league team. Initially, he hesitated and considered taking the easy way out by staying on the bus. However, he realized the importance of facing his fears and believing in himself. He got off the bus and went on to have a successful career in rugby league.


3. ### The Importance of Hard Decisions:
- Jamie discusses the concept of dividing life into easy and hard decisions. He believes that making hard decisions consistently leads to an easier life, while making easy decisions often results in a harder life. He emphasizes the significance of making hard decisions in areas where talent is not a factor, such as effort, grit, and work ethic.


4. ### Habits and Routines of Elite Athletes:
- Jamie highlights the importance of certain habits and routines that he adopted as an elite athlete, which he continues to practice in his post-retirement life. These habits include getting up early, training regularly, staying hydrated, writing to-do lists, and delivering on his word.


5. ### The Power of Accountability and Trust:
- Jamie stresses the importance of accountability and trust in high-performance teams. He believes that when people deliver on their promises and commitments, it creates a culture of trust and respect. He emphasizes the need to gently remind people of their commitments if they fail to deliver.


6. ### The Impact of Mindset on Performance:
- Jamie shares his experience of being diagnosed with cancer and how he refused to let it define his life. He adopted a positive mindset and applied the same attitude to the latter part of his career, resulting in some of his best performances as a rugby league player.


7. ### Leadership Through Example:
- Jamie emphasizes the importance of leaders setting an example through their actions rather than just words. He believes that people tend to believe what they see rather than what they hear, and that leaders should demonstrate the behaviors and values they expect from their team members.


8. ### The Value of Personal Responsibility:
- Jamie highlights the significance of personal responsibility in high-performance environments. He believes that individuals should take ownership of their mistakes and learn from them, rather than doubling up on errors. He emphasizes the importance of accountability and self-awareness in improving performance.

**Navigating Mistakes and Doubling Up Errors:**

- Jamie Peacock emphasizes the importance of avoiding "doubling up" on errors and mistakes to maintain a high-performance culture.
- He shares an incident where he dropped two balls consecutively and was taken off the field, leading to a realization about the significance of not compounding errors.
- Peacock highlights the need to move on from mistakes quickly, regain focus, and take immediate positive action to prevent further errors.

**Psychological Safety in High-Performing Cultures:**

- Psychological safety is crucial in high-performing cultures, allowing team members to admit mistakes, learn from them, and avoid pointing fingers.
- Peacock reflects on the 2008 World Cup, where a lack of psychological safety among England players led to an environment where weaknesses were hidden, hindering learning and improvement.
- In contrast, the Leeds Rhinos fostered a culture where players felt comfortable owning up to mistakes and working together to overcome challenges.

**Ego-Less Leadership and Collaborative Success:**

- Peacock's transition from the Bradford Bulls to the Leeds Rhinos involved joining a team with a strong culture and established leaders.
- He emphasizes the importance of subsuming one's ego and collaborating with other leaders to contribute to the team's success.
- Peacock and then-captain Kevin Sinfield complemented each other's leadership styles, creating a powerful partnership that drove the team's success.

**Integrating New Signings into the Team Culture:**

- To integrate new signings into the team culture, Peacock focused on demonstrating the team's norms and standards through behavior and actions.
- He highlights the importance of building relationships, owning up to mistakes, and creating a culture where everyone is held accountable for their actions.
- Direct communication and feedback were crucial in addressing any deviations from the team's standards.

**Challenging Behaviors and Maintaining Standards:**

- Peacock emphasizes the need to challenge behaviors that fall outside the team's norms and standards.
- He shares an incident where he confronted a senior player for back-chatting to referees during training, setting a clear marker for the team.
- Peacock acknowledges the importance of timely and direct feedback, seeking consent before providing feedback, and using data points to support the feedback.

**Motivating Players During High-Pressure Playoff Games:**

- Peacock views playoff games as opportunities to showcase the team's capabilities under pressure and rise above expectations.
- He believes in connecting the team's goals to a human story or emotional narrative to inspire and motivate players.
- Peacock highlights the success of the 2015 Leeds Rhinos team, who used the impending departures of three key players as motivation to win the treble.

**The Art of Theming and Emotional Connection:**

- Peacock discusses the use of themes to create a sense of purpose and emotional connection within the team.
- He emphasizes the importance of timing, suggesting that emotional sessions should be conducted 24 hours before a game to allow for residual impact.
- Peacock acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining a theme throughout an entire season and suggests focusing on specific moments or events to create emotional connections.

**Finding Personal Motivation in Grand Finals:**

- Peacock reflects on his approach to grand finals, seeking a personal slant or human story to connect with and inspire the team.
- He highlights the need to actively look for these stories and use them to create a collective emotional lift within the team.
- Peacock emphasizes the balance between using negative comments as motivation and focusing on proving oneself right, using adversity to achieve greatness.

# Jamie Peacock: The Art of Leadership and Creating High-Performance Cultures

## Summary

In this episode of the High-Performance Rugby League World Cup Specials podcast, host Damian Hughes sits down with Jamie Peacock, a legendary rugby league player and coach, to discuss leadership, creating high-performance cultures, and the importance of personal responsibility.

## Key Points

- **Leadership Through Example**: Jamie Peacock emphasizes the importance of leading by example and creating a culture of accountability within a team. He stresses that trust is built by consistently delivering on one's promises and actions, fostering a positive and productive environment.

- **Hard Versus Easy Decisions**: Peacock suggests dividing decisions into hard and easy categories. By making more hard decisions and reflecting on the outcomes, individuals can build confidence and resilience, knowing they can handle challenging situations.

- **The Power of Trust**: Peacock highlights the significance of trust in high-performing teams. He defines trust as simply doing what you say you will do, consistently following through on commitments. Building trust enables team members to rely on one another, especially during challenging times.

- **Non-Negotiable Behaviors**: Peacock identifies three non-negotiable behaviors that he and those around him must adhere to: doing the right thing by people, taking personal responsibility for decisions and mistakes, and being honest. These principles form the foundation of a strong and ethical team culture.

- **Legacy and Integrity**: Peacock believes that his legacy should reflect his integrity and honesty, rather than solely his achievements as a rugby player. He emphasizes the importance of doing the right thing by people and delivering on one's word, leaving a positive impact on those he interacts with.

- **Advice to Younger Self**: Peacock advises his younger self to say yes more often, embracing new opportunities and experiences. He encourages individuals to step outside their comfort zones and explore different paths, leading to exciting outcomes and personal growth.

- **Golden Rule for High-Performance Life**: Peacock's golden rule for living a high-performance life is to always do what you say you're going to do. By consistently following through on commitments, individuals build credibility, trust, and a strong reputation.

## Overall Message

Jamie Peacock's insights provide valuable lessons on leadership, personal responsibility, and creating high-performance cultures. His emphasis on integrity, honesty, and delivering on promises resonates with the core principles of effective leadership and teamwork. Peacock's journey from player to coach and his ability to adapt and thrive in different roles exemplify the importance of continuous learning and embracing challenges. The podcast offers practical advice and inspiring anecdotes that can be applied to various aspects of life, both on and off the field.