Belonging: Unlock Your Potential with the Ancient Code of Togetherness Paperback – 26 May 2022

Excellent. Worth reading.

"Belonging" contains numerous insights into successful - and less successful - teams. Although drawn from Eastwood's experience in working with elite sports teams on their culture and "story", the insights will apply to any team. In the post-Covid context when many will return to the workplace on a hybrid basis (part in an office; part at home), ensuring that all feel part of a team with a shared culture (an Us story) will be a challenge - but also more important than ever. That we can seek to achieve that drawing on Maori ancestral wisdom is humbling.In a telling passage, Eastwood compares a value-based and rule-based approach to how teams might regulate behaviour using the example of breach of behavioural standards by New Zealand and English players at the Rugby World Cup. The All Blacks approach was for the players concerned to meet with senior players and explain their behaviour. They were then told to address the team and apologise. The team itself decided on appropriate sanctions. The most severe aspect was the shame from not meeting the team's expectations of what it was to be an All Black. It was resolved within the group within 24 hours without any formal process.In contrast, the England players were charged with a breach of the rules and called to a disciplinary meeting in London weeks later. After a formal hearing, the players were found guilty and punished. They were mobbed by the media when leaving the hearing.Different approaches. Which feels better?

I had the pleasure of hearing him speak about his life and work. If you need to understand “belonging” then read this book

Well worth a read. Beautifully written with stories interwoven. Lots to consider for teams, leadership and wider societies. Highly recommend

Great book with lots of golden nuggets in. Love that the chapters aren’t too long and lots of real world examples. Great book for anyone working in the sporting or business world! Gave me lots of other interesting areas to research and read about from this book. Great service arrived quickly and price was best could find online too.

A fascinating insight into the process of creating great teams with examples from some fantastic sports teams

I’m a works full of leadershipbooks, and so many which are good and worth reading, occasionally one stands out. This is one such book. Find a space for it on your best and most inspirational books list. A book not just to read, but to influence best practice.

Everything to gain from the book is on the blurb, after that it's just the author referring back to teams he's worked with in the past and repeats what is on the blurb.