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The Great Coaches: Leadership & Life

The Great Coaches: Leadership & Life

By: Paul Barnett & Jim Woolfrey
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About this listen

We explore leadership through the lens of high performance sport, by interviewing great coaches from around the world, to try and find ideas to help all of us be better leaders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Barnett & Jim Woolfrey
Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Anders Torstensson
    Jan 29 2026

    Our great coach on this episode is Anders Tortensson.


    However this is not just a story about Anders, its also about the triumph of his team Mjallby in winning the Swedish top tier football competition in 2025.


    Mjallby is a town of 14,000 people with a budget that is only 12% of the richest club in the league, Malmo. Their stadium holds only 6000 people, and many of the players live in flats together and car pool into training.


    In 2017 they were in the 4th flight of Swedish football, and now after theirn victory they have qualified to take part in the Champions League qualifiers.


    They are led by Anders. A former school principal and miltary officer who has been involved with the club on and off since being a player there in the 1980’s. In 2023 he became the head coach on a full time, professional basis and has led them to a a championship that many believe is one of the greatest underdog stories in European football.


    What can I do better to work with people's inner and outmer motivation?

    How can I use my voice better to convey a sense of calm?


    If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    58 mins
  • On Leadership
    Dec 4 2025

    Todays episode is On Leadership and I am joined for the discussion by 2 great coaches.

    The first is Mike Dunlap. Mike is a basketball coach who has led teams in US Colleges, the NBA and in Australia. He was also an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks when then they defeated the Phoenix Suns to win their first NBA Championship in 2021.


    The second is Rugby Union coach Franco Smith. As a player Franco represented South Africa as well as playing for clubs in South Africa, Italy, France and Wales. As a coach he has led teams to National Championships in Italy and South Africa and is presently the head coach of the Glasgow Warriors.


    Q: How do you mitigate the loneliness you might feel as a leader?

    Q: What philosophy guides you as a leader

    Q: What did you do today to lead by example?

    If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    58 mins
  • John Connolly
    Nov 27 2025

    Our great coach on this episode is John Connolly.


    John is a rugby union coach who started coaching in the 1980’s. He rose through the ranks and eventually led the Queensland Reds to the Super 6 title in 1992, and then back-to-back Super 10 titles in 1994-94.


    He then went on to coach in in Ireland, France, Wales and England, before returning to coach the Australian National team, the Wallabies for 2 years.

    In 2021 John became a quadriplegic. However, he did not let this define him or slow him down and he now uses his energy to raise money for others with spinal injuries.


    His adventures are captured in his book Bare Knuckles it’s a terrific read and all the money raised from it go to the Perry Cross Foundation


    Q: What role does pride play in your teams identity?

    Q: How do you find the balance between single mindedness and being open to new ideas?


    If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    38 mins
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