Connected Teams Win: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About Workplace Success

In any organization, team success isn’t just about individual brilliance—it’s about connection. The legendary New Zealand All Blacks rugby team offers a masterclass in what it means to operate as a truly connected unit. With a staggering win rate of around 77% over more than a century, their performance goes far beyond physical skill. It’s about clarity, inclusion, trust, and communication. It’s about connection.

As leaders navigate increasingly hybrid and global workplaces, the All Blacks remind us: the strength of the team is each individual, and the strength of each individual is the team.

1. Clarity of Goals: Everyone Pulls in the Same Direction

One of the most powerful lessons from the All Blacks is the simplicity and strength of a shared purpose. Every player knows why they’re there: leave the jersey in a better place.

This phrase isn’t just aspirational—it’s operational. It guides behavior, reinforces accountability, and ensures that every decision aligns with the collective goal.

In the workplace, that kind of clarity is often missing. According to The State of Business Communication in 2024, only 46% of employees know what’s expected of them at work. That’s more than half of the workforce operating without a clear sense of direction.

A connected team starts with aligned goals. Whether it's a one-page project brief, a shared roadmap, or regular check-ins, clarity eliminates confusion and helps individuals see how their work contributes to something bigger.

2. Inclusion: Everyone Has a Role—and It Matters

Despite being a team of elite athletes, the All Blacks are known for humility and inclusion. After games, it’s the senior players who “sweep the sheds”—cleaning the locker room to model service, not status. No one is above the team.

This culture of inclusion creates psychological safety. When people feel seen, heard, and valued, they’re far more likely to contribute, collaborate, and commit. A 2021 McKinsey study found that employees who feel included in detailed workplace communication are nearly 5 times more likely to report increased productivity.

Leaders can build this same sense of inclusion by rotating meeting roles, giving junior team members visible responsibilities, and ensuring decisions aren’t made in silos. A connected team isn’t just about shared work—it’s about shared ownership.

3. Communication Built on Trust: The Glue That Holds It All Together

The All Blacks’ famous haka isn’t just a pre-game ritual—it’s a declaration of unity, identity, and intention. On the field, communication is everything. Players know each other’s cues. They call, pass, adjust, and adapt in real time—not out of obligation, but because they trust each other.

In the workplace, communication isn’t just about updates—it’s about building trust. When people feel safe to voice concerns, share ideas, and ask questions, teams move faster and smarter.

Yet silence is one of the most dangerous forms of misalignment. It leads to misunderstanding, inefficiency, and conflict. Poor communication often results in:

• Misalignment—teams moving in different directions

• Inefficiency—duplicated or wasted effort

• Conflict—unclear roles and task ownership

• Inconsistency—varying standards and expectations

• Frustration—and eventually, disengagement or dropout

  
  

As Michael Jordan put it: “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” That only happens when trust is present.

4. From the Field to the Office: Connected Teams in Action

Connection isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a competitive advantage. A reputable global marketing team spread across Sydney, London, and Singapore was struggling. Their collaboration was fractured. Junior team members felt invisible, and work was being duplicated across regions.

After analysing the issues, the team leader made three key changes:

• Introduced a shared digital whiteboard to centralize updates

• Required a clear one-page brief for every campaign

• Rotated who presented to clients to elevate more voices

Within months, employee engagement scores rose by 20 points, and the team delivered a campaign that beat sales targets by 30%. The difference wasn’t more talent—it was more connection.

5. The Takeaway: Move as One

Strong teams don’t just work together—they move together. Like a championship sports team on the field, connected teams:

• Respect each other’s roles

• Communicate openly and consistently

• Align every action with shared goals

The result? A team that performs with purpose, resilience, and trust—even under pressure.

As Steve Jobs once said, “Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” Whether you’re leading a rugby team or a remote marketing crew, that truth holds. Connection isn’t soft—it’s the secret to sustainable performance.