Open Minded

In this episode of Open Minded with Sir John Kirwan, we're treated to an in-depth conversation with Gilbert Enoka, the legendary mental skills coach known for his transformative work during his 23 year tenure with the All Blacks. The discussion delved into Enoka's personal and professional journey, providing deep insights into leadership, mental resilience, and the power of a nurturing environment.What you'll learn:From Orphanage to Leadership: Gilbert Enoka's early life in an orphanage shaped his understanding of adversity and resilience. Reflecting on these experiences, Enoka, "I was just holding on really... I had that sense of abandonment that you get when you go through that experience, that loss of connection." These foundational experiences instilled in him a tenacity that would become pivotal in his coaching philosophy.Building a Legacy in Sports Psychology: Enoka's long tenure with the All Blacks transformed their mental resilience strategies. "We don’t just play the game; we think it through. It’s about building a sustainable environment where mental resilience is key," Enoka explained. His approach has influenced various teams globally, demonstrating the universal relevance of his strategies.The Essence of Effective Leadership: On leadership, Enoka believes in empowering others: "Great leadership's all about two rules. First, it's not about you. And secondly, it's only about you. This paradox encapsulates the servant leadership model we’ve integrated into the All Blacks." His philosophy underscores the importance of humility and accountability in leadership roles.Cultivating Team Culture: Enoka stresses the critical role of a nurturing team culture in achieving lasting success. "A positive culture enhances performance. It’s about ensuring each member feels they belong and contribute meaningfully to the team’s objectives," he noted. His initiatives have helped create a supportive and unified environment, pivotal in the All Blacks' enduring success.Mental Preparation for Peak Performance: Enoka’s mental conditioning programs are designed to prepare athletes for high-pressure environments. He shared, "Players who are mentally prepared will perform better on the day. Our job is to equip them with tools to handle pressure, not just in rugby but in life." His comprehensive approach has proven effective on the world stage.Reflections on Personal Growth: Enoka's journey is a testament to the impact of personal history on professional methods. Reflecting on his career, "I'd be so much less without what I went through. Those challenges shaped me into the coach I am today." His narrative emphasizes the transformative power of past experiences in shaping future successes."What we've instituted goes beyond rugby; it's about life skills that help individuals thrive in any high-pressure environment." His legacy in the All Blacks and his broader influence on sports psychology underscore his significant contributions to sports and beyond.Take a listen today!

In this episode of Open Minded, Sir John Kirwan (JK) sits down with Kirsten Patterson, the CEO of the Institute of Directors New Zealand, to explore the dynamic world of governance and leadership. Together, they delve into the nuances of effective board management and strategic leadership that can steer organizations towards success in 2024 and beyond.What you'll learn:The right CEO for the right season: Discover why selecting the right CEO—tailored to the specific season or phase of your business—is crucial for navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Kirsten shares insights on aligning leadership styles with organisational needs to foster growth and resilience.Board Focuses for 2024: Unpack the five critical areas boards should concentrate on in 2024, including climate leadership, future-ready succession planning, harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, enhancing productivity, and embodying a value-adding board. These focuses are essential for boards aiming to lead with foresight and responsibility.Cultural Dynamics: Learn about the importance of "the tone at the top, the mood in the middle, and the buzz at the bottom." This holistic approach to organizational culture ensures that leadership values and strategies resonate through all levels, fostering a unified and motivated workforce.Trust, But Verify: Kirsten emphasizes the mantra "trust, but verify" as a foundational principle for boards. This approach balances faith in management's abilities with the necessity for accountability and diligence, ensuring that trust is built on transparent and verifiable actions and outcomes.The Performance Care Approach: Sir JK and Kirsten advocate for Performance Care as the cornerstone of New Zealand business culture. This approach integrates well-being and high performance, proposing that caring for the mental, physical, and emotional health of employees is not just ethical but also a strategic advantage.Tune in to this episode of Open Minded to gain valuable insights from Sir JK and Kirsten Patterson on leading with integrity, foresight, and compassion. Whether you're a current or aspiring director or leader, this conversation will be sure to inspire!

Sir John Kirwan is back! After a two year hiatus, Sir John Kirwan is back with the Open Minded podcast. Kicking off season two he interviews not one, not two, but three Doctors! He gets their expert insights on "performance care" - how organizations can support employee peak performance through a culture of care.With guest neuroscientist Dr. Carolyn Pritchett, organizational psychologist Dr. Laura Hamill, and behavioural scientist Dr. Fiona Crichton, Kirwan explores:Why "performance care" is critical - care enables sustained high performance, unlike fleeting wellness initiatives.The science behind workplace breaks - how regular short breaks boost focus and creativity.Practical ways leaders can role model work-life balance and ditch the "hero" mentality.Building a culture centered around common values and psychological safety.The tangible impacts increased employee engagement and performance care can have on innovation and profits.If you're looking to enable your team to consistently perform at their best, this knowledge-packed episode is required listening! Tune in for practical, science-backed advice from the doctors with Sir John's signature humour and curiosity.For more info on Groov visit www.groovnow.com

In this special bonus episode, Open Minded crosses over with the Change Happens podcast. Host and EY Oceania Deputy CEO Jenelle McMaster joins JK for a wide ranging double interview.TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast episode deals with issues of suicide and suicidal ruminations. Listener discretion is advised.Why is change scary? It’s a big question. JK and Jenelle kick the episode off unpacking the uncertainty change produces, and talk about strategies to reduce and better manage this uncertainty.Next up they dig into leadership, and push back on the outdated notion that you need to leave your real self at the door when you go to work. They discuss the importance of being real as a leader, and the end of the individual ‘hero’ leader and rise of collaborative leadership.Later, things get a little more personal. JK speaks about his ‘sharks’, those nagging elements of our personalities that can push us to ‘swim fast’ and achieve great things, but can end up swallowing us. And Jenelle talks about her experiences with imposter syndrome, and techniques she’s used to retrain her brain to reframe negative self talk.

Mel Upton is the CEO of Positive Group APAC, a mental wellbeing company focussed on leadership training and group learning. She’s also a veteran of the legal industry and has led wellbeing programs throughout her 25 year legal career.Mel joins JK from a hotel room in Auckland on her first international trip since the start of the pandemic, another sign we are slowly finding our way back to some kind of normal.JK and Mel kick off the pod talking about Mel’s background in the legal industry, and her experience in setting up wellbeing programs as a leader in law firms. She gives us some insight into how to have difficult conversations, and how to be comfortable when you’re having an off day. Mel also shares a first hand experience of dealing with a team member going through significant mental ill-health. She reminds us that hard conversations are hard, and that it’s important to prepare and be mindful when approaching a hard conversation to steer it toward a positive outcome.Later, Mel gives some insight into the work she’s doing now with Positive Group, and how they communicate the sometimes complex scientific concepts behind mental wellbeing in a way that resonates with business leaders and stimulates change in their clients' businesses.Read and Listen:Moving Upstream: The case for a more proactive approach to mental health in the workplace - Dr Brian Marien of Positive GroupA Podcast of One’s Own - podcast by Julia GillardThe Measure of a Man - A Spiritual Autobiography - Sidney Poitier

Robbie Hicks and Lachland Bradford are the hosts of the Funny Business podcast and co-founders of the Wellbeing Network. After JKs recent appearance on Funny Business, the boys join us on Open Minded to provide an intimate look at the foundation of their business, and how they have embedded wellbeing into the core of their company.Rob and Lach share insight into how the strength of their friendship was instrumental in creating Funny Business and the Wellbeing Network, how their individual strengths make each other better, and how the support they provide each other has helped the business grow.The guys speak about playing different roles on a sports team relates to building successful teams in business, by aligning people’s roles with their strengths and organising around shared core valuesLater, Rob and Lach give us some insight into their back stories. How they both overcame setbacks and changes in life direction, and how they reframed success for themselves through the lens of personal wellbeing.Read and Listen:Funny Business podcast - with Rob and LachThe School of Life networkKiller Thinking - by Tim Duggan