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World Class

World Class

How to Lead, Learn and Grow like a Champion

Summary


What gives the world's best leaders the edge?

Will Greenwood is best known for being an integral part of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning team. Ben Fennell has spent over 16 years helping the world's biggest businesses and brands grow. Together, they have established that world-class performance - in both business and sport - requires a fresh approach, and a new set of behaviours.

Having spoken to inspirational leaders across all areas of business and sport, including Michael Johnson, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Rio Ferdinand, Dame Carolyn McCall, Dave Lewis and Sir Clive Woodward, the authors have identified the key characteristics of world-class performance. These guiding principles of celebrating difference, forging togetherness and accelerating growth constitute a new framework for modern leadership.

Packed with insightful personal stories, and often painfully learnt lessons, Will and Ben offer a new playbook for world-class leadership, learning and growth.

Reviews

  • It's incredible to see how modern leadership mantras - high ambition, fused diversity, constant learning - have been at the centre of the highest performing sports teams for decades. Beautifully synthesised by Will and Ben, these lessons from the very best are gold for anyone who shares their belief that 'nothing beats winning together'.
    Alan Jope, CEO of Unilever

About the authors

Ben Fennell

Ben read politics at Durham University and then studied as a postgraduate at Oxford, where he won a rugby blue.

He spent 16 years as the CEO of BBH in Singapore and then London, helping businesses like Unilever, Diageo, British Airways and Tesco to grow. Ben founded The Growth House at the start of 2018 and now works with senior teams at companies all over the world such as Virgin Media, Costa, LinkedIn and AstraZeneca. Ben is passionate about helping leaders, teams and businesses to grow.
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Will Greenwood

After reading Economics at Durham University, Will worked in the City before becoming a professional rugby player. He is the third highest try scorer in English rugby history, and helped power England to victory at the Rugby World Cup in 2003.

Since retiring from rugby, Will has become one of the UK's leading broadcasters and commentators on the game. He has penned a weekly column for the Telegraph for 16 years and been at the heart of Sky's rugby output.

Will is Chief Customer Officer in the UK for Afiniti, an artificial intelligence organisation. Will also coaches club rugby at Maidenhead RFC and continues to chase any shaped ball anyone will throw.
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