What Makes A Great NRLW Leadership Group?
Introduction
Leadership groups are one of the most important parts of any successful NRLW team, yet they're often one of the least understood.
Every season, players celebrate being selected into the leadership group, while others question why certain people were chosen.
Some believe leadership positions are based on popularity.
Some believe they're based on talent.
Others think they're simply the coach's favourites.
The truth is, we're going to break all of that down.
An effective NRLW leadership group has very little to do with titles and everything to do with influence.
That's the true purpose of a leadership group.
Who has the greatest positive influence on the people around them?
Unfortunately, that's the part many people forget.
When an NRLW leadership group is selected well, it strengthens culture, improves communication and unites an entire playing group behind one vision.
That vision is the culture of the club, the standards the team lives by and the direction the coaching staff want everyone moving towards together.
When a leadership group is selected poorly, however, it can create division, frustration and uncertainty throughout the playing group.
We've all seen teams split into smaller groups.
Small groups create poor culture.
Poor culture creates rumours.
Rumours create distrust.
Before long, the team becomes divided instead of united.
A successful club should always strive for one team, one culture and one purpose.
Leadership has never been about wearing a badge.
Real leadership is about making decisions that benefit the team before yourself.
Sometimes that means listening more than talking.
Sometimes it means having difficult conversations.
Sometimes it means protecting the standards of the group.
Leadership is about earning trust, building respect and making everyone around you better.
Throughout this article, I'll share my experiences working throughout the NRLW pathways and explain what makes a great NRLW leadership group, why every player should understand its purpose and why buying into the leadership group is critical to building a successful team.
How Should An NRLW Leadership Group Be Selected?
The Best Player Isn't Always The Best Leader
One of the biggest misconceptions in rugby league is believing the best player automatically becomes the best leader.
The most skilful player isn't necessarily the most influential player.
Leadership is not a reward.
It is a responsibility.
Experience Helps, But It Isn't Everything
Older players bring valuable experience.
However, experience alone doesn't automatically make someone a leader.
The game continues to evolve.
Leaders must continue evolving with it.
Leadership Isn't About Being The Loudest
Some players naturally speak more than others.
But speaking the loudest doesn't always mean leading the best.
Great leaders know when to speak.
Great leaders also know when to listen.
Being Captain Doesn't Always Mean Leading The Culture
Captains manage the team during games.
Leadership groups help protect the culture every day.
Those are two very different responsibilities.
Leadership Should Never Be A Recruitment Tool
In my opinion, leadership should never be promised to recruit a player.
Leadership must always be earned.
If leadership positions are perceived as rewards rather than responsibilities, trust within the playing group can quickly disappear.
The leadership group exists to strengthen culture, not individuals.
The Qualities Of A Great NRLW Leadership Group
Influence Before Titles
Influence is everything.
Can you positively influence your teammates?
Can you influence younger players?
Can you influence culture?
Great leaders influence people without needing recognition.
Respect Is Earned
Respect is never demanded.
It is earned every day through consistency, honesty and actions.
Players naturally follow leaders they genuinely respect.
Leaders Set The Standards
Standards are demonstrated before they're spoken.
Fitness.
Preparation.
Professionalism.
Attitude.
Commitment.
The best leaders never ask teammates to do something they aren't prepared to do themselves.
Lead By Actions, Not Words
Actions always outweigh speeches.
The strongest leaders arrive prepared.
Train hard.
Remain consistent.
Support teammates.
Protect the culture.
Work Ethic Becomes Contagious
Effort spreads.
Players naturally lift their own standards when surrounded by leaders who consistently work harder than everyone else.
Gossip Destroys Leadership
Nothing damages culture faster than gossip.
Rumours spread quickly.
Stories become distorted.
Trust disappears.
Great leaders shut gossip down before it spreads.
Unite The Group
Leadership is about bringing everyone together.
Never creating smaller groups.
One Team.
One Culture.
All For One.
One For All.
Handle Pressure Calmly
Every season presents challenges.
Selections.
Losses.
Injuries.
Conflict.
Great leaders remain composed during difficult moments and help steady the group.
Challenge Coaches Respectfully
Great leaders don't blindly agree with everything.
They respectfully provide feedback when necessary.
They become another set of eyes for the coaching staff.
Always with one purpose.
Helping the team improve.
Support The Coach Publicly
Disagreements should be discussed privately.
Once decisions are made, leaders help reinforce the club's direction.
Consistency builds trust.
Why Players Buy Into An NRLW Leadership Group
Players don't buy into titles.
They buy into trust.
They buy into standards.
They buy into consistency.
When players understand why leaders were selected, confidence grows.
One of the best ways coaches can build trust is by establishing standards before selecting leaders.
Players naturally reveal themselves.
The athletes who consistently live the standards become the strongest leadership candidates.
Leadership should be earned long before it's announced.
What Great Leaders Actually Do Every Week
Great leadership happens long before game day.
The best leaders regularly check on teammates.
Support younger players.
Help athletes who are struggling.
Lead training.
Speak with coaches.
Solve problems before they become bigger problems.
Protect the team's culture every single day.
Leadership isn't an event.
It's a daily habit.
When Leadership Groups Fail
Leadership groups fail when culture is replaced by cliques.
When gossip replaces trust.
When personal agendas replace team success.
When different standards apply to different players.
When leaders protect friendships instead of protecting culture.
When coaches stop listening.
When players stop believing.
Once trust disappears, culture quickly follows.
Should Leadership Groups Change Every Year?
Not necessarily.
Every leadership group should be reviewed annually.
If the culture remains strong, standards remain high and trust continues growing, there may be no reason to make changes.
If culture begins slipping, leadership must also evolve.
Leadership should never become permanent simply because of past achievements.
It should continue being earned every season.
Final Words From John Fadel
Let me leave you with one final question.
If the leadership badge disappeared tomorrow, would people still follow you?
If the answer is yes, you've already become a leader.
If the answer is no, don't chase the badge.
Chase the qualities that make people want to follow you.
Leadership isn't about titles.
It's about influence.
It's about trust.
It's about consistency.
It's about making everyone around you better.
If you were removed from the leadership group tomorrow, what would your response be?
Would you become bitter?
Would you complain?
Or would you continue supporting the new leaders and proving your leadership was never dependent on wearing a badge?
The greatest leaders never stop leading.
They continue serving the team.
Helping younger players.
Protecting the culture.
Building standards.
Leadership is demanding.
It's mentally exhausting.
Sometimes you'll become one of the most respected leaders in the club without ever officially wearing the badge.
That's because leadership is earned through your actions every single day.
One Team.
One Culture.
All For One.
One For All.
One final piece of advice.
Never become part of a culture built on gossip.
Nothing destroys trust faster.
When you sign with a club, your loyalty belongs to that team.
I've always told every player I represent that what happens inside the four walls of a club should remain inside those four walls.
Trust is one of the most valuable assets any team can build.
Protect the culture.
Protect your teammates.
Protect the standards.
Because great leadership isn't measured by the title you hold.
It's measured by the people who choose to follow your example every single day.
Excel with us.
Family • Faith • You.
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