Seilala Mapusua takes us on a profound journey through the cultural landscapes of rugby, drawing from his remarkable career spanning from Samoa to New Zealand's Otago, London Irish in England, and Japan's Kubota Spears.At the heart of this conversation lies a powerful coaching philosophy: "Connect with the person, then you can coach the player." Mapusua reveals how this approach becomes especially crucial when working with Pacific Island players, whose cultural foundations rest firmly on family and faith. For coaches seeking to truly engage with these athletes, understanding their family context often means reaching out directly to parents – a gesture that acknowledges the player's broader identity and community connections.The cultural transitions Mapusua experienced throughout his career offer invaluable lessons about adaptation and understanding. His move from a predominantly Polynesian boarding school to southern New Zealand taught him that "it's not right, it's not wrong, it's just different" – a perspective that allowed him to thrive across dramatically different rugby environments. This acceptance of cultural differences becomes a blueprint for coaches working with diverse teams.Particularly illuminating are Mapusua's insights into cultural misunderstandings that can derail player-coach relationships. He explains how in Pacific Island culture, looking down during conversation demonstrates respect rather than disrespect – a subtle yet significant distinction that Western coaches might misinterpret. Similarly, he highlights how testing protocols might not accurately reflect the on-field capabilities of Pacific Island players, echoing Ben Ryan's discovery that Fijian players performed dramatically better when speed-tested with a ball in hand.Now coaching with Moana Pacifica, Mapusua demonstrates how creating environments that feel like "home" unlocks player potential. Starting each day with prayer and song isn't about manufacturing culture – it's about authentically expressing shared values and creating meaningful connection points where players can be their true selves.Ready to transform your coaching approach? This episode will challenge you to expand your cultural awareness and develop deeper connections with your players, regardless of their background.Send us a text Support the show
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46:23
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46:23
James Doleman: How Referees Shape Rugby's Culture Beyond the Rules
When James Dolman steps onto a rugby field to referee a test match, he carries years of mental preparation, relationship-building, and self-reflection with him. In this revealing conversation with Ben Herring, Dolman takes us behind the scenes of elite officiating, exploring the psychological challenges that come with making split-second decisions under immense pressure."The struggle is trying to be a perfectionist," Dolman admits, describing the mental battle that follows high-stakes matches. Unlike players who can move forward quickly after games, referees often spend days analyzing decisions and processing feedback. This perpetual pursuit of improvement drives top officials, who Dolman describes as "one of the most competitive groups of people" he's encountered.The conversation ventures into fascinating territory when Dolman explains how coaches impact referee performance. "A coach has a massive role to play in how their players behave, but also how their supporters behave," he observes. When coaches publicly criticize referees, they effectively authorize everyone—from players to fans—to do the same, creating what Dolman calls a "mob mentality" that undermines rugby's values. By contrast, coaches who communicate respectfully build currency that serves them well long-term.Perhaps most compelling is Dolman's insight into emotional regulation during matches. "When players become emotional, referees need to become calmer," he shares, describing a philosophy that extends beyond officiating into leadership broadly. The most effective captains understand this dynamic, choosing their moments to communicate strategically rather than contesting every call.Dolman's journey from injured player to World Cup referee offers valuable lessons for anyone in a leadership position. His emphasis on building mutual respect, focusing on process over outcomes, and modeling the behavior we wish to see provides a masterclass in handling high-pressure situations with grace and integrity.Listen now to gain a fresh perspective on leadership from someone who manages conflict, communicates effectively, and maintains composure when surrounded by intensity and emotion.Send us a text Support the show
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1:07:06
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1:07:06
Aaron Smith: Great coaches admit mistakes and know when to stop coaching
What separates championship team cultures from the rest? For legendary All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith, it comes down to something invisible yet incredibly powerful: "that feeling that binds you all together."Drawing from his extraordinary career spanning 185 games for the Highlanders and 124 tests for the All Blacks, Smith reveals the stark contrasts between navigating life as both an underdog and a world-beater simultaneously. The Highlanders' 2015 championship season emerged from what Smith calls "pain" - struggling teams that transformed adversity into brotherhood through their "1-39" philosophy where every squad member had equal voice and value.Smith's most pointed insights target coaching authenticity. "I like when coaches admit they make mistakes," he reflects, explaining how this human quality builds trust that mechanical perfection never can. The greatest coaches, according to Smith, understand timing - knowing when preparation ends and player ownership begins: "Past Thursday night, coaches need to just wait till the game." His candid frustration with coaches who pull out laptops in hotel lobbies draws laughter but carries profound truth about respecting boundaries.The balance between fun and intensity emerges as a recurring theme. "I always found it helped us switch on more, knowing during the week we'd filled up our fun meter," Smith explains. This counterintuitive approach - that focused enjoyment actually enhances performance when it matters most - challenges conventional thinking about high-performance environments.Through stories of championship seasons and relationships with coaches like Steve Hansen and Tony Brown, Smith constructs a blueprint for cultural excellence that extends far beyond rugby. Whether you're coaching, leading, or building any team, these lessons in psychological safety, authentic leadership, and the delicate balance between joy and intensity will transform how you think about cultivating championship cultures.What's your team's invisible thread? How do you fill your fun meter while maintaining intensity when it matters most? Join the conversation beneath this episode – we'd love to hear how these principles translate to your world.Send us a text Support the show
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58:55
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58:55
REFLECTIONS Public vs. Private
What makes a truly meaningful team culture? It's not just putting values on a wall or running team-building exercises. According to Ben Herring, it requires a deliberate framework with three essential components working together to form what he calls your "culture circle."The first component challenges conventional thinking about success. While public definitions of success—winning championships, hitting targets, earning promotions—certainly matter, they create an emotional rollercoaster when they become your only measure. That's why Herring advocates developing private definitions of success focused on growth and development. He shares a powerful story about a shy player he transformed into a confident public speaker, explaining how this "private win" provided deep fulfillment regardless of game outcomes. By maintaining these parallel success definitions, leaders can find meaning and purpose even during challenging seasons.The second component involves articulating a clear philosophical foundation for your culture. Herring's personal philosophy—"I'm here to grow great people"—serves as his North Star for difficult decisions and conversations. When faced with challenges, he can simply ask: "Is this growing great people?" This philosophical clarity prevents reactive leadership and ensures consistency in your approach.The third component focuses on core values, but with a crucial distinction from typical approaches. Rather than brainstorming generic values like "honesty" or "respect," Herring recommends identifying just 1-3 values that truly matter—values you're willing to act as "gatekeeper" for. These should align with both your personal convictions and your organization's identity. The key is choosing values you genuinely feel strongly about and can authentically uphold, not just buzzwords that sound good in a team meeting.When integrated into your "culture circle," these components create an environment where both public and private success can flourish. And the ultimate measure? What people take with them when they inevitably leave your circle. Are they better humans for having spent time in your environment? That's the true definition of cultural success.Looking to strengthen your team's culture? Subscribe and share this episode with a coach or teammate who's on the same journey.Send us a text Support the show
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13:36
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13:36
Mike Cron: Rugby's Wisest Coach Shares His Lifetime of Wisdom
When a coach with 42 years of experience and three World Cup titles speaks, the rugby world listens. Mike Cron, forwards coach for the Wallabies and veteran of 217 All Blacks matches, opens up about the coaching philosophy that's made him a legend in the sport.What makes a great rugby culture? According to Cron, it starts with having "an aim or goal that's higher than an individual" and creating a safe learning environment where players can take risks without fear. The traditional dynamic of coach-as-dictator is outdated – today's effective coaching involves a "very thin line" between coach and player, sometimes even flipping to player-led sessions. Cron's approach to feedback is revolutionary yet simple: ask questions rather than make statements. "If 10 is your best game and 1 is your worst, where would you rate yesterday's performance?" When players self-assess, they become invested in their improvement. This honest conversation style creates psychological safety where athletes willingly acknowledge mistakes rather than hide them.The master coach shares practical wisdom about using visual aids, storytelling, and technology to enhance learning. From showing players sculptures that represent proper mall formation to filming technique in real-time, these approaches make abstract concepts concrete. His time management philosophy is equally insightful – prioritize key learning objectives over rigid schedules, because "you can coach it, not just train it."Perhaps Cron's most powerful insight comes from his favorite Benjamin Franklin quote: "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." By involving players in their development journey rather than dictating it, coaches create deeper learning and lasting improvement.Ready to transform your coaching approach? Listen now to hear wisdom from rugby's professor of coaching that will change how you think about player development, team culture, and the beautiful game itself.Send us a text Support the show
Coaching Culture with Ben Herring is your weekly deep-dive into the often-overlooked “softer skills” of coaching—cultural innovation, communication, empathy, leadership, dealing with stress, and motivation. Each episode features candid conversations with the world’s top international rugby coaches, who share the personal stories and intangible insights behind their winning cultures, and too their biggest failures and learnings from them. This is where X’s and O’s meet heart and soul, empowering coaches at every level to foster authentic connections, inspire their teams, and elevate their own coaching craft. If you believe that the real gold in rugby lies beyond the scoreboard, Coaching Culture is the podcast for you.
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