E17 - Shaun Wane: How to handle success and struggles exactly the same

Please note that the summary is generated based on the transcript and may not capture all the nuances or details discussed in the podcast episode.

Summary

### Summary of the High-Performance Podcast Episode on Cultivating Winning Habits and Building a Supportive Team Culture with Sean Wane, Former England Rugby League Head Coach.

**Introduction:**

- The podcast episode features Sean Wane, the current England rugby league Head Coach and former Head Coach of Wigan.
- Wane shares his experiences and insights on creating a winning team culture and fostering a supportive environment for players.
* Shaun Wane is the current England rugby league Head Coach.
* He was previously Head Coach of Wigan, his hometown club, from 2011-18.
* During his time at Wigan, the Warriors won three Super League titles, reached five Grand Finals at Old Trafford, won the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 2013, and were crowned World Club Champions in 2017.
* Wane also won two caps for Great Britain in 1985-86.
* Prior to taking the England job, Wane worked as the High Performance Coach for Scottish Rugby.

**Cultivating Winning Habits:**

- Wane emphasizes the importance of establishing clear standards and expectations for players.
- He believes in relentless attention to detail, both on and off the field, to achieve consistent success.
- Wane stresses the need for open communication and feedback to ensure players understand their roles and responsibilities.

**Building a Supportive Team Culture:**

- Wane highlights the significance of creating a family atmosphere within the team.
- He values honesty and straight talk, fostering a culture where players feel comfortable expressing their concerns and seeking guidance.
- Wane believes in providing players with opportunities to learn and grow, helping them reach their full potential.

**Overcoming Adversity:**

- Wane draws upon his challenging childhood experiences to emphasize the importance of resilience and perseverance.
- He shares how his upbringing shaped his determination to succeed and his commitment to creating a positive environment for his players.

**Key Takeaways:**

- Establish clear standards and expectations for players to ensure alignment and accountability.
- Foster a culture of open communication and feedback to create a supportive and growth-oriented environment.
- Prioritize the well-being and development of players, recognizing that their success extends beyond the field.
- Embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning.
- Maintain a relentless pursuit of improvement, always striving for better results and higher standards.

**Key Themes and Insights**

* **Authenticity and Openness:** Wane emphasizes the importance of being authentic and open with players. He believes that this creates a trusting environment where players feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. Wane also values honesty and transparency in his communication with players.
* **Continuous Improvement:** Wane is a strong advocate for continuous improvement. He believes that there is always room for growth and development, both as a coach and as a player. He sets high standards for himself and his players and is constantly looking for ways to improve.
* **Clarity and Simplicity:** Wane believes in providing clear and simple instructions to his players. He wants them to have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities on the field. He also emphasizes the importance of focusing on the fundamentals and executing them well.
* **Resilience and Mental Toughness:** Wane is known for his resilience and mental toughness. He has faced many challenges throughout his career, both on and off the field. However, he has always persevered and come out stronger on the other side. He believes that these qualities are essential for success in rugby league.
* **Team Culture:** Wane places a strong emphasis on team culture. He believes that a strong team culture is essential for success. He works to create a culture of respect, accountability, and hard work. He also encourages his players to support and encourage each other.

**Specific Examples and Anecdotes**

* Wane shares an anecdote about a time when he was coaching at Wigan and the team lost a game 62-0. He was devastated by the loss, but he knew that there was a reason for it. He met with his players after the game and told them that the game would never be mentioned again. He also gave them time off to spend with their families. Wane believes that this approach helped the team to move on from the loss and to focus on the future.
* Wane also discusses the importance of self-reflection. He believes that it is important for coaches and players to be able to look at themselves critically and identify areas where they can improve. He also emphasizes the importance of being humble and willing to learn from others.
* Wane talks about the importance of having a clear game plan and being able to adapt it to the situation. He believes that coaches need to be flexible and willing to change their plans if they are not working. He also emphasizes the importance of having a strong coaching team that can support the head coach and provide different perspectives.

### Key Points

**1. Impose Your Will:**
- Wane emphasizes the importance of imposing one's will in all aspects of life, not just in sports.
- He believes that relentless attitude and a focus on personal growth are crucial for success.

**2. Non-Negotiable Behaviors:**
- Wane sets high standards for his teams and emphasizes the importance of non-negotiable behaviors.
- These behaviors include being on time, dressing professionally, and taking care of equipment.

**3. Attention to Detail:**
- Wane believes that attention to detail is essential for high performance.
- He ensures that his teams have the best facilities and equipment available.

**4. Happiness vs. Satisfaction:**
- Wane believes that happiness and satisfaction are two different things.
- He is not satisfied with simply being happy; he wants to be constantly improving and achieving more.

**5. Legacy:**
- Wane is not driven by the desire to leave a legacy.
- He simply wants to make a positive impact on the players he coaches and help them achieve their full potential.

**6. Cognitive Diversity:**
- Wane believes that cognitive diversity is important for high-performance teams.
- He values different perspectives and encourages his players to challenge each other's ideas.

**7. Psychological Training:**
- Wane emphasizes the importance of psychological training for athletes.
- He believes that mental toughness is just as important as physical fitness.

**8. Mindset:**
- Wane believes that mindset is everything.
- He encourages his players to have a positive mindset and to believe in themselves.

**9. No Excuses:**
- Wane has a "no excuses" policy.
- He believes that everyone has the potential to achieve great things if they are willing to work hard and never give up.

**10. Living a High-Performance Life:**
- Wane believes that anyone can live a high-performance life.
- He encourages people to set goals, work hard, and never give up on their dreams.

### Conclusion

- The podcast ends with a discussion of the importance of feedback from listeners.
- Damien Hughes and Jake Humphrey, the podcast hosts, encourage listeners to send questions and comments.
- They also discuss the importance of cognitive diversity and the value of learning from people with different perspectives.