Leadership with Wally Lewis: Insights from a Rugby League Legend
I recently had the absolute privilege of sitting down with Rugby League Immortal, Wally Lewis, to ask him for some insights into leadership. As an Australian legend, Wally Lewis needs no introduction, but here is a short (but not exhaustive) list of his leadership credentials;
Representing Australia in thirty-three international matches from 1981 to 1991.
Captaining the Australian national team from 1984 to 1989.
Spearheading Queensland’s dominance in State of Origin games throughout the 1980s, winning a record eight “Man of the Match” awards.
Being inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame.
Being named one of ‘The Immortals’ in 1999.
Being included in the Kangaroos’ Team of the Century as a halfback.
Being chosen in the Queensland Rugby League’s Team of the Century at five-eighth and captain.
Coaching Wynnum-Manly and Gold Coast teams in the 1980s and 1990s.
Being a sports presenter for the Nine Network.
Contributed significantly to Australia’s international standing in rugby league, earning the Australian Sports Medal in 2000.
As I sat down with the legendary Wally Lewis at the Wynnum-Manly Leagues Club, overlooking Kougari Oval, where it all began, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. Here was the man who had not only conquered the rugby league field but had also left an indelible mark on the hearts of Australians. Our conversation centred around leadership, and how the fundamental lessons of leadership transcend the world of sport and are applicable in all team environments.
Wally was kind enough to answer my questions on the topic and fuel my curiosity of exceptional leadership at the highest level. Upon leaving the conversation, I knew that the key insights I garnered from that conversation needed to be shared to benefit all of us in construction and engineering, and business in general. With Wally’s permission, I have summarised some of the key insights Wally shared from his experience.
1. Less Talk, More Impact
Wally shared a valuable lesson he learned early in his career. As a young leader, he used to talk a lot, trying to assert his authority. But Artie Beatson, another rugby league great,
pulled him aside and said, “People who talk too much are usually trying to prove something.” Wally realized that true leadership isn’t about verbosity; it’s about actions. As he matured, he found that sometimes a meaningful look could convey more than a thousand words. His gaze, directed at fellow player Mal Meninga, often said everything that needed to be said. This level of non verbal communication is built on trust, respect, and a commitment of the team to the common goal. Once this is established through example and experience, meaning can be conveyed without words.
2. Simplicity Wins
Wally’s leadership philosophy was refreshingly straightforward. He didn’t overcomplicate things. Instead, he distilled his expectations for teammates and strategies into two simple goals. Wally would give his teammates (and himself) two simple things to focus on for the game. For example, he may emphasize “no bad passes” and “no missed tackles.” By keeping it simple, he ensured that everyone understood their role and could focus on executing these fundamental aspects of the game.
In construction, we often have numerous KPIs and areas of competing priorities that we can lose focus on what matter most. “If everything is important, then nothing is important”. Simplifying and prioritising a complex scope to several core concepts or goals can work wonders with focussing and motivating your team.
3. Intrinsic Motivation Trumps All
Wally believed in intrinsic motivation. He didn’t need to micromanage or have one-on-one conversations about accountability. Instead, he fostered a team culture where players held themselves to the highest standards. Wally built this team culture at the group level by setting expectations through leading by example and creating a team culture where everybody holds themselves accountable. Wally was clear, that this is built through conversation with the group, not the individual. The group culture drives the individual to hold themselves to a higher standard than anyone else will hold them to.
I asked Wally how he dealt with individuals who didn’t hold themselves to the highest standard or fully buy into the team culture. To those team member who didn’t care, Wally’s message was clear: “There’s the door.”
While its important to understand all your team members as individuals, it is the team culture that trumps everything. When the team is locked in for a common goal, individuals will hold themselves to a higher standard than anyone externally. Intrinsic motivation is the key to exceptional results.
4. Channeling Competitiveness
Professional athletes thrive on competitiveness and the desire to be the best. As a leader, Wally harnessed this drive. He encouraged group discussions that instilled camaraderie and a shared purpose. Rather than pitting teammates against each other, he directed their competitive energy toward defeating the opposing team. It was about collective excellence, not individual glory.
5. Respect, Always
Wally recounted a pivotal moment from the 1984 Wynnum Manly side—the best team he ever played with. They were leading Souths 38-4 in the grand final. As the clock wound down, some players started clowning around, throwing behind-the-back passes and taunting the opposition. The coach, Rugby League legend, Des Morris, intervened, reminding them that respect mattered. “We always show the opposition the respect of playing our absolute hardest, and beating them by as many points as possible.”
This lesson stuck with Wally. Crucially, Des was not promoting going easy on the opposition when leading by so much. Instead, Des saw that the best respect you can show is playing your absolute hardest for every minute of the game to win by as much as you possibly can. However, at no point should you resort to show boating, taunting and other forms of bad sportsmanship.
This may have been one of my favourite insights from the conversation because it is evident that this lesson lives strong in every State of Origin match to this day. Both teams play hard until the final whistle regardless of the score. The same cannot be said for allot of professional sports out there. This, I believe showcases both heart and respect, and it creates a culture of hard work and success no matter the score.
In summary, Wally Lewis exemplified leadership through actions, simplicity, intrinsic motivation, and respect. His legacy extends beyond the rugby league field, inspiring leaders across all domains. I remain thankful to the King for providing me the opportunity to pick his brain on the topic of leadership (of which he is so accomplished), and again to let me publish this article to share the wisdom to all those in our industry and beyond.
