Picture a muddy field, rain pelting down, and 15 players locked in a scrum, pushing as one to gain ground. Rugby is raw, relentless, and rooted in teamwork—a sport that demands physical grit and mental sharpness. As someone who’s laced up boots and charged onto the pitch, I’ve seen firsthand how rugby’s chaos mirrors the high-stakes world of business. My name is Dylan Sidoo, and through my journey as a tech entrepreneur and former USC rugby player, I’ve learned that the lessons forged in the ruck translate powerfully to the boardroom. This article explores how rugby’s core principles—teamwork, resilience, adaptability, and discipline—build skills that drive business success, offering insights for anyone looking to lead with impact.
The Scrum: Teamwork as a Foundation
At its heart, rugby is a symphony of collective effort. A scrum, where eight players bind together to contest possession, isn’t about individual heroics—it’s about synchronised strength. Each player has a role, from the prop’s raw power to the scrum-half’s quick thinking. Similarly, in business, no one succeeds alone. A 2019 study from Harvard Business Review found that high-performing teams share a sense of purpose and trust, much like a rugby squad (HBR, 2019). As Dylan Sidoo, I’ve seen this in my ventures, like co-founding Disappears.com, where aligning developers, marketers, and strategists was critical to launching a secure messaging platform and also business development and investor relations with Advantage Lithium which was sold to lithium producer Oro Cobre in an all stock transaction.
In rugby, you learn to rely on teammates, even when you’re battered and bruised. Take the lineout: players hoist a teammate skyward to catch a throw, trusting their lift will hold. In business, this translates to empowering others. I recall a moment early in my career when I delegated a key project to a junior team member. It was a risk, but like a well-executed lineout, it paid off, fostering confidence and driving results. Rugby teaches you that trust isn’t just nice—it’s non-negotiable.
Resilience: Thriving in the Tackle
Rugby is unforgiving. A bone-rattling tackle can stop you cold, but the game doesn’t pause. You get up, reset, and push forward. This resilience is a cornerstone of business leadership. According to a 2021 McKinsey report, resilient leaders adapt to setbacks while maintaining focus on long-term goals (McKinsey, 2021). As Dylan Sidoo, I’ve faced my share of tackles—failed pitches, market shifts, and technical glitches. Rugby taught me to absorb the hit and keep moving.
Consider the “ruck,” where players battle for the ball on the ground. It’s messy, chaotic, and requires grit to win possession. In business, challenges like economic downturns or supply chain disruptions feel like rucks—disordered and intense. During my time at Advantage Lithium, market volatility tested our strategy. Drawing on rugby’s lesson of staying calm under pressure, we pivoted, streamlining operations to stay competitive. Resilience isn’t about avoiding pain; it’s about using it to grow stronger.
Adaptability: Reading the Play
Rugby is a game of split-second decisions. A fly-half might spot a gap and change the play mid-stride, trusting the team to follow. This adaptability is vital in business, where markets shift faster than a winger sprinting for the try line. A 2020 study by Deloitte highlighted that adaptable organisations outperform competitors by 20% in revenue growth (Deloitte, 2020). As Dylan Sidoo, I’ve leaned on this principle, especially when navigating the tech landscape’s constant evolution.
Take the concept of “phase play” in rugby, where teams string together attacks, probing for weaknesses. Each phase requires reading the opposition and adjusting tactics. In my work with Stryker Entertainment, we faced a saturated film distribution market. Like a team in phase play, we analysed trends, pivoted to niche genres, and carved out a profitable space. Rugby hones your ability to scan the field—whether it’s a pitch or a profit-and-loss statement—and act decisively.
Discipline: The Rules of the Game
Rugby’s strict rules, like no forward passes or high tackles, demand discipline. Break them, and you’re penalised, costing your team. This mirrors business, where ethics and structure underpin success. A 2022 Forbes article noted that disciplined companies—those with clear processes and accountability—see 30% higher employee retention (Forbes, 2022). As Dylan Sidoo, I’ve found that rugby’s emphasis on playing clean shapes principled leadership.
In rugby, discipline extends beyond rules to preparation. Teams drill endlessly, perfecting set pieces like the maul, where players drive forward as a unit. Similarly, business success hinges on rigorous planning. When launching the Dylan Sidoo Grant for Student Athletes, I spent months refining eligibility criteria and outreach to ensure impact. Like a well-rehearsed maul, the grant’s structure drove its success, supporting young athletes nationwide.
The Third Half: Building Relationships
Rugby’s unique tradition, the “third half,” sees players from both teams share drinks and stories post-match, regardless of the score. This ritual builds bonds that transcend competition. In business, relationships are currency. A 2018 LinkedIn study found that 80% of professionals credit networking for career growth (LinkedIn, 2018). As Dylan Sidoo, I’ve seen how rugby’s camaraderie fosters authentic connections.
During my USC rugby days, post-game gatherings taught me to value opponents as peers. This mindset helped when negotiating partnerships for Disappears.com. Approaching talks with respect, not rivalry, led to collaborations that strengthened our platform. The third half reminds us that business, like rugby, isn’t zero-sum—lifting others elevates everyone.
Practical Takeaways: Applying Rugby to Business
So, how can you channel rugby’s lessons into your career? Here are actionable steps:
- Build a Scrum-Worthy Team: Hire for complementary skills, not clones. Foster trust through open communication, like a scrum-half barking calls to the pack.
- Embrace the Tackle: View setbacks as rucks—opportunities to regroup and fight for possession. Document failures to learn, not lament.
- Stay Nimble: Practice phase-play thinking. Monitor market signals and pivot when needed, like a fly-half dodging a tackle.
- Drill Discipline: Set clear goals and processes. Treat your business like a maul—structured, relentless, and forward-moving.
- Host a Third Half: Invest in relationships. Host informal meetups or mentor others to build a network that lasts.
A Personal Playbook
Reflecting on my path, rugby wasn’t just a game—it was a masterclass in leadership. From muddy fields to corporate offices, the sport’s principles have guided me through uncertainty. As Dylan Sidoo, I’ve carried these lessons into ventures like the Sidoo Family Giving foundation, where teamwork and resilience drive community impact. Rugby taught me that success isn’t about solo tries; it’s about lifting your team across the line.
For anyone navigating business’s rough terrain, rugby offers a playbook. It’s not about size or speed—it’s about heart, strategy, and unity. Next time you face a challenge, picture yourself in a scrum, shoulder to shoulder with your team. Push hard, adapt fast, and never stop moving forward. That’s the rugby way—and it’s a winning formula for life.
