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Communication key to success says Ruddock (Western Mail, March 2007)
GRAND SLAM winning rugby coach Mike Ruddock yesterday highlighted effective communication as a key factor in successful leadership.
Speaking at a meeting of Cardiff Breakfast Club, Mr Ruddock, who took Wales to its first Grand Slam in 27 years in 2005, said that whether in the business or sporting arenas, it was also vital to recruit the best.
Mr Ruddock, who controversially quit as Welsh rugby coach last year, is now business development manager for one of Wales' most successful businesses, Newport-based recruitment and training venture Acorn - a £40m plus turnover company with branches UK-wide.
Speaking at St David's Hotel and Spa, Mr Ruddock said "Whatever leadership style you have it is easier if you can recruit the best talent. When I was coaching rugby [although Wales couldn't recruit players] I was the best coach when I had the best players."
Mr Ruddock, who in his spare time is as assistant coach to Mumbles RFC, said leadership was also about handling failure.
"Sometimes you have to deal with mistakes and the individuals that make them. Mistakes can be costly in any organisation and you have to keep an eye on performance good or bad... with staff appraisals an important part of this process."
He said that in both the sporting and business arenas cohesion was essential, with every team member being aware and comfortable with their roles within an overall strategy and vision.
He also highlighted the importance of risk taking - a factor which was the hallmark of Wales' style in the Grand Slam season.
He added, "The best teams [business and sporting] are those which play with a bit of risk and look for ideas and opportunities in the marketplace which other people are not attacking."
He also said the best leaders were those that could outline goals coherently to colleagues.
"Effective leaders have excellent communication skills. If your communication is not right it leads to confusion and the team will not perform."
On Acorn, Mr Ruddock said, "We are aiming to grow turnover to £100m in the next three years, through a strategy of organic growth and acquisitions."
He continued; "they are the best employers I have ever had!"
Established in 1992, Acorn is now one of the UK's leading recruitment companies.
Cardiff Breakfast Club is sponsored by the Western Mail, Marsh UK, Morgan Cole and the Bank of Scotland.
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