Watching the victorious New Zealand Rugby team returning home prompted me to think that managers in business can learn a lot from the Rugby World Cup winners.

1. They knew exactly what they needed to achieve (a clear goal) and this determined their decision making
2. A wealth of experience goes a long way, a coaching style brings out good ideas
3. The best team is likely to comprise a range of ages
4. When facing adversity (one player in sin-bin) the team really need to pull together
5. Guide direction and then let the team make their own operation decisions
6. Clear roles, no waste of effort, accountability
7. Actually their ‘processes’ were simple and effective and communication was clear and concise
8. Stretch the rules but respect them and play to them
9. Build an identity that everyone shares – a uniform (kit) and even an ancestral war cry (Haka)
10. Play to the final whistle

Of course you can't forget the wonderful gesture of Sonny Bill Williams giving his medal to a fan – I guess great teams should never lose sight of what is really important.