In the journey from professional rugby to the corporate world, Don Armand, a former professional rugby player for the Exeter Chiefs (among others), shares his compelling perspective on performance, leadership, and resilience. With insights rooted in years of high-stakes, high-intensity experiences on the field, Armand offers valuable lessons on translating those skills into the business world.
The Core of Performance: Beyond Physical Skills
In both rugby and business, the factors influencing success extend far beyond individual skill. External factors constantly shift and challenge the ability to perform. Learning to manage these variables is essential. Preparation is critical in rugby, but the principle applies equally to business, where consistency and mental readiness set the foundation for success. Here, success isn’t about merely being competitive or achieving isolated wins; it’s about adapting to the varying demands of a complex and dynamic environment.
Armand also emphasises the importance of focusing on people. In rugby, as in business, true success comes from a team-oriented approach. Teams that prioritise a supportive and encouraging environment, where each member is committed to collective growth, see the most consistent results. Investing in your people and building those relationships not only foster a sustainable, resilient team culture but deepen the individuals intrinsic motivation.
And, of course, the best teams (in rugby or business) are those that operate on intrinsic motivation. This self-driven purpose creates a culture where people are naturally inclined to give their best because they feel a personal connection to their work. Extrinsic motivators—bonuses, titles, or promotions—can be effective in the short term, but they lack the sustainability of a deeply rooted passion for the work. Leaders focused on building intrinsic motivation set their teams up for long-term resilience and success.
Transitioning from Rugby to Business: The Challenge of Self-Sufficiency
Moving from an institution like professional rugby to the military, to a new career often means losing the support structures that had once guided you. For Armand, this transition meant creating his own support network. Just as he once relied on coaches, teammates, and regimented routines, now he had to develop new habits and find resources to maintain that structure. In the absence of established systems, self-reliance became critical in his ability to ‘pitch up’ every morning for his team,
A key element of this journey is learning to motivate oneself without external rewards or support. Armand suggests building intrinsic motivation—finding internal reasons to keep going, rather than relying on business outcomes or accolades to drive effort. This “self-sustaining” motivation allows leaders to handle setbacks with resilience, an essential quality in the business world where external validation may be less consistent.
Don Armand’s perspective on success highlights the role of consistency across multiple areas of life. For him, it’s not only about securing steady financial success; it’s also about maintaining consistent leadership and showing up as a dependable father and family man. He advocates for building pathways and support systems, both personal and professional, that allow leaders to thrive in every domain of life. Whether through a structured daily routine or disciplined habits, a leader’s commitment to consistency builds trust and stability in those around them.
Resilience: Insights from the Field
In rugby, direct feedback is a natural part of the game. Unlike corporate environments, where feedback is often filtered through HR policies or performance reviews, rugby relies on unfiltered, honest communication to drive improvement and alignment. However, adapting this directness to the workplace can be challenging; leaders need to be skilled in delivering feedback that is constructive and adheres to HR policies.
Leadership styles also evolve based on environment. According to Armand, effective leaders don’t exist in a vacuum; they shape their style to fit the specific needs of their team. Empowerment is often touted as the holy grail of leadership, yet it frequently falls short. Armand stresses that simply handing off responsibilities doesn’t guarantee empowerment; instead, leaders must actively engage with and understand their team to foster genuine autonomy and confidence.
A Caution Against Overplaying the Business-Sport Connection
While parallels are often drawn between sports and business, Armand warns that these comparisons can sometimes be overemphasised. Competitiveness alone isn’t enough to ensure success in either arena. In fact, there are lessons business leaders can take from sport, as well as areas where sport could benefit from business structures, such as talent management and long-term strategy. Recognising the distinctions between these fields can help leaders avoid misconceptions and instead focus on adaptable strategies that translate meaningfully across different environments.
Learning to “Play the Game”
One of the realities of professional rugby—and business—is the necessity of understanding and adapting to the “rules of the game.” Armand observes that this often means navigating organisational flaws or unspoken dynamics that may not be ideal. He emphasises the importance of recognising and working within these constraints. This pragmatism is essential in achieving professional longevity and gaining influence within any organisation.
Don Armand’s journey offers valuable insights into the principles of self-motivation, resilience, and people-focused leadership. His experience emphasises that success is less about momentary victories and more about building sustainable pathways for consistent performance. Leaders in business can take a page from Armand’s playbook by fostering intrinsic motivation, committing to consistency, and adapting their leadership styles to the needs of their team. In a world where the game may change, these core principles remain the bedrock of long-term success.
Listen today!
