Play by the same rules...
West Australian football icons say the secret to success in sport and business is to play by the same rules.
Former leading Fremantle Dockers footballer Paul Hasleby and head of women’s football at West Coast Eagles Michelle Cowan shared their respective stories, and advice for leadership success, at an ACE Radio business summit in Perth on Friday.
ACE Radio clients and staff from the Wimmera, Gippsland and north-east Victoria were in attendance at the summit at Optus Stadium.
During a two-hour panel discussion, the duo talked about the importance of understanding the motivations of individuals to best foster an environment for them to achieve, of building trust and rapport within and among teams to not only celebrate wins but effectively overcome challenges, of expressing gratitude for individual and group contributions and performance, and of self-care.
They discussed the power, and potential success or failure, of clear communication; and encouraged people to clearly and regularly establish, with their teams, an agreed understanding of the team’s values and expectations of each other – and live by them.
Hasleby played more than 200 games across 11 seasons for the Dockers and was a recipient of a rising star award, AFL Allaustralian
and Ross Glendinning Medal on four occasions. He went on to coach South Fremantle Football Club.
He has worked as a learning and development advisor for an ASX 100 company, delivering programs on frontline management, leadership, communication, teamwork and safety; and is a One Life Suicide Prevention Ambassador.
Cowan became the nation’s first female WAFL assistant coach at age 21 and spent three years at South Fremantle Football Club as midfield coach. She took a dual role at Melbourne Football Club as both senior coach of the inaugural women’s team and development coach of the men’s team. She was named AFL Football Woman
of the Year in 2013 and her AFL career spans 20 years.
Cowan encouraged people to consider their daily opportunity for a ‘42-second moment’.
She recalled a moment in her career at Melbourne in 2015 she says makes her emotional to this day.
While watching as jockey Michelle Payne became the first woman jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, she received a phone call from Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson that would last 42 seconds.
“He doesn’t call me very often, but when he does you answer,” she said.
“In a stern voice, he said – Michelle, are you in front of the TV
right now? This country has just witnessed Michelle Payne change the face of racing. I just wanted to thank you for everything that you’re doing to change the face of our game.
“That was the end of the phone call – it was a 42-second phone call. That’s leadership.
“Every single one of us have an opportunity, when we wake-up every morning, to have a 42-second moment. That’s all it takes.
“It’s the little things that we can do. It’s a 42-second phone call or writing a post-it note or buying a gift for someone.
“I think it would be a far better world if more people can have PJ’S 42-second moment.”