Leadership lessons from our best NRL playmakers

I’m an avid NRL fan and I have always been in awe of the way leaders of the game bring their best in such a pressure cooker environment! I have been blessed to be mentored by some exceptional leaders and the similarities between them and our best NRL stars astounds me.

In rugby league, an exceptional halfback seems to have all the time in the world. With the ball in hand, the field opens up, time slows down — the team moves in sync, anticipating the execution of trusted plays. The halfback isn’t alone though. They are part of a spine of leaders, together, they create the backbone of the team.

When pressure rises and plays become trickier, this spine leans on trust, clarity of roles, and the deep belief that someone always has their back. The magic of their leadership lies not in individual brilliance, but in how they make the whole team stronger, braver, and more adaptable.

Leadership in organisations is no different. Great leaders create a playing field where everyone — colleagues, partners, stakeholders — feels safe, valued, and trusted. A place where people know their role, but also know that if they stumble, someone else will step in, share their strengths, and keep the team moving forward.

It’s in this environment of trust and shared responsibility that teams feel free to take risks, innovate, and make amazing things happen.

At Elucidate Coaching and Consultancy, we believe leadership is about creating this kind of field — where everyone has the space to thrive, and together, deliver impact that matters.