IB BOOKS
Issue No. 38 - December/January 07/08
If better is possible
Mental toughness is a key ingredient for any success but in the high-pressure world of international cricket that quality is paramount.
The players in the baggy green get the kudos, but cricket cognoscenti know John Buchanan was largely responsible for Australia’s dramatic domination of world cricket over eight triumphant years.
Despite never playing a Test match himself and facing early scepticism over his appointment, John fostered an unparallelled culture of success within his constantly changing playing group.
In his new book, If Better Is Possible, John explains his techniques and the lessons he has learned about lateral thinking, the importance of role models, effective communication and dealing with egos.
He is careful to explain this is not a sports book.
It’s aimed to “go across everybody” concerned with managing elite teams.
“It’s about relationships, about enabling people to be better than the rest, and it’s for the leader-manager,” he says.
Whether in sport or business the challenge for any group is to evaluate performance with a view to doing better.
John says the priority for a good leader is to “understand (the elite performer’s) philosophy and ambitions” to get the best out of his team.
John uses his own relative lack of sporting prowess – he played only eight first-class matches, none for Australia – to highlight an inescapable fact. No leader can be measure...
