Why Munsterman will lead by example
Irishman will ask his men to follow him. If they win, it will not be a question next time
Everyone is now wondering what type of leader Peter O’mahony will be after his appointment as Lions captain for Saturday’s first Test against the All Blacks in Auckland. Over my career, I realised there are three basic types of captain:
One who leads by example
This is the most basic form of leadership, and in rugby it means putting your body on the line and demanding people follow your lead. Lewis Moody is a classic example, and, in the women’s game, Helen Clayton was similar – people you were desperate not to let down.
The inspirational captain
A chest-thumping, loud presence. A big fan of expletives and someone who believes their passion sets the tone. Scott Quinnell and Lawrence Dallaglio strike me as this type, while my captain with England, Catherine Spencer, was in this mould.
The captain with presence
When they walk into a room, everyone stops talking. You know, just by looking at them, that they are your leader and you would do anything for them. Think Martin Johnson, Brian O’driscoll or Jo Yapp, the former England women’s captain.
O’mahony is, by all accounts, in the first camp – a leader by example. He lifts his team with a huge tackle, a brilliant turnover or a strong carry. He also communicates well with the officials, something every captain must be able to do and which set the likes of Richie Mccaw and George Gregan apart.
There is a lot to be said for leading by example but, in my view, the ideal is to be a captain with presence. That comes only when your team-mates trust you and you have the respect of everyone around you.
It took me a long time to realise that. When I was appointed Saracens captain, I tried to be an inspirational leader, and I believed that F-ing and blinding was the only way to carry my team-mates into battle. By taking that approach, you engage half your audience but lose the other half. They just stop listening.
Jo Yapp taught me that. She was 5ft 3½in, but when she walked into a room she could have been a giant. She had the ability to make a decision under the most intense pressure and make it seem like she had all the time in the world. That was because we all backed her, whether the decision was right or wrong. That was a respect she had earned because she combined leading by example with being inspirational, qualities that give you presence.
In rugby, more than most sports, you need the right captain. I have been in teams where that has not been the case and, when results start to turn, factions form, and the captain is invariably the cause of some angst. In many ways, it is self-preservation.
One thing every captain needs is their disciples. A lot of people think I captained England’s successful sides as I was probably the most high-profile player, but I did not. I realised I was most effective as what I term the ‘First Follower’ – a big character in the group who is right behind the captain. The way Chris Robshaw follows Dylan Hartley with England now is the epitome of it and I believe Sam Warburton will now fill that role.
I do not believe O’mahony will have any issues taking people with him because the Lions’ squad is full of leaders. He will, though, be under enormous scrutiny. If the Lions fail this weekend he may well take the brunt of it. If they succeed, he will be lauded.
From what I have seen, he is up to the task. He was superb against the Maori All Blacks, and every decision he made was met with complete agreement by his players, the surest sign of good leadership.
Right now, he is a fine illustration of a captain who leads by example. At times, he might be inspirational. But if he captains the Lions to a series victory against the All Blacks then he will have presence and be elevated to the greats. What an opportunity this is for him.