14 Tips for Leadership from the Rugby League ‘Coach of the Century’

Wayne Bennett head coach of the Dolphins speaks to the media during the round four NRL match between Gold Coast Titans and Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia on March 30, 2024. Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Wayne Bennett is a towering figure in rugby league.

His name is synonymous with success, leadership, and a relentless drive to innovate.

From humble beginnings in 1976, his coaching career has spanned over four decades, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

What sets Bennett apart is not just his tactical brilliance, but his capacity to inspire players and teams to reach heights they hadn’t thought possible.

His two-decade reign at the Brisbane Broncos, where he led the team to six premierships, remains one of the most extraordinary achievements in National Rugby League (NRL) history.

His no-nonsense approach, tempered with a deep understanding of human nature, has enabled him to cultivate loyalty and respect from his players, fostering an environment where success is the inevitable outcome.

Whether it was leading the St. George Dragons to their first NRL premiership in 31 years, or taking the then-struggling Newcastle Knights to the semi-finals, Bennett’s leadership transcends the technicalities of the game.

Inducted into the Australian Sport Hall of Fame in 2012, Bennett remains at the forefront of rugby league, having guided the newly introduced Redcliffe Dolphins team with the same tenacity and vision that have defined his career.

Fans stand and applaud as a dedication to coach Wayne Bennett shortly before the round 10 NRL match between Cronulla Sharks and Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia on May 6, 2023. Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

At the AgForce 2024 conference in Brisbane on Oct. 1, Bennett shared powerful leadership insights from his career, emphasising resilience, trust, and the importance of building strong teams to inspire success in both sport, agriculture, and life.

Here are his top points.

1. Face the Mirror, Not the Myths

The hardest truths to swallow are the ones you tell yourself.

Self-deception is the quickest path to ruin in any tough business. If you can’t be honest with yourself, you’re already halfway to failure.

2. Age is Irrelevant if the Mind Stays Nimble

At 64, when asked if he was too old to coach, Australian rugby league coach, Frank Stanton’s response was crystal clear: “You’re never too old if you can still dream. You’re never too old if you’re flexible enough to evolve.

“And you’re never too old if you stop pretending you know everything.”

3. Learn to Like Yourself First

Each day brings its own set of challenges, whether it’s working with young players, navigating high-stakes matches, or managing the relentless pressure of results.

These are all part of the job, but the most difficult challenge is often the one that takes place within.

“You know, I’m challenged by young men. I’m challenged by games of football, challenged by results, but nothing challenges me more than I do. I have to be good every day. I can’t have a bad day. So I’ve gotta live a life that led me to do that, and I’ve gotta know who I am. And there’s one guy in this world that I wanna like, and that’s me,” Bennett said.

4. Let Go of Perfection

Perfection is an illusion. Holding yourself, your children, or your team to impossible standards will only lead to frustration and disappointment.

Striving for excellence is essential, but perfection? That’s a fiction that needs to be taken off the table.

“Don’t expect that of yourself. Don’t expect that of your children. Don’t expect that of other people that work for you—it will take a lot of grief out of your life. Yes, we can strive for excellence. That’s really important, but the fiction is not on the table,” said Bennett.

5. Discipline the Foundation of Success

No shortcuts, no excuses.

The path to becoming a great leader is paved with discipline. Without it, all the talent and potential in the world are wasted. Discipline keeps you focused when others falter and drives you forward when things get tough.

6. Intelligence is Not Critical, It’s What You Bring to the Table

Don’t get bogged down by worrying if someone is smarter than you.

Leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about bringing something valuable that no one else can, whether it’s vision, resilience, or empathy.

7. Teamwork Demands Sacrifice

Being part of a team means putting the group’s success above your own desires.

Understand your role, make the necessary sacrifices, and never undermine your teammates.

8. Hard Decisions Are Turning Points in Life

Leadership isn’t for the faint of heart.

You’ll need to have difficult conversations, challenge the status quo, and stand up for what’s right, even when it’s uncomfortable.

In a world full of empty promises, the true leader speaks truth, even when it costs them.

Bennett said, “The turning points in your life are the hard decisions you have to make. If I don’t make those hard decisions, I’m not here today.”

“I sacked [State of Origin legend] Wally Lewis as captain in 1989, which was a huge, huge moment in the game here—but if I don’t make that decision then I’m not here today, I will not achieve what I achieved as a coach. If I don’t have that conversation, we don’t win that series.”

9. Principles Don’t Go Out of Fashion

In a world that seems to be evolving at breakneck speed, it’s easy to feel pressure to abandon principles such as etiquette, and values. Yet, without them, the fabric of our communities begins to fray.

“Character doesn’t change. Standing for something doesn’t change. Good manners don’t change. Caring about each other doesn’t change. But we make excuses as to why we don’t believe in that anymore, and then we sit around all day bitching and whinging about someone’s behaviour, instead of doing something about it.”

10. Communication is Key

Communication and feedback are essential tools for growth. Learn to use them effectively, because leadership is about connection.

11. Give Others Time to Reflect

There’s no need to belabour a point when offering criticism.

Be direct, be clear, and give the individual time to reflect on their performance. Let them own their mistakes without rubbing it in. Growth happens in the space between realisation and action.

12. What You Will Tolerate, Will Define You

Leaders are defined by the behaviours they tolerate.

If you see something that isn’t right, address it. Give constructive feedback not to belittle, but to elevate. Leaders challenge others to be better.

13. Mistakes Are Inevitable, Own them

Leaders are not immune to mistakes, and perfection should never be the expectation.

What defines a truly great leader is not the absence of errors, but the willingness to take responsibility when things go wrong.

Rather than deflecting or assigning blame, owning up to mistakes demonstrates integrity and earns the respect of the team.

As Bennett said, “If you make decisions, you’re going to make mistakes. It’s as simple as that. People will tolerate them. They will live with that. They'll understand you if they know the honest mistakes. There’s a question you have to ask yourself: Who do you blame when you make a mistake?”

14. Confidence is Contagious

A leader’s belief in their team can be the difference between success and failure.

When you’ve made a mistake, regroup, reset, and show your team the way forward. Confidence isn’t about never failing; it’s about how you handle setbacks and lead others through adversity.