Whakapapa & Maori Rugby “All Blacks”

Wonder

Collective creativity thrives on difference—as long as people believe in and trust one another. Trust builds when a community features two things: common purpose and having each other’s backs.

One of the most successful international sporting teams of all time comes from a country of 4.5 million people: The New Zealand All Blacks rugby team. The All Blacks are driven by the Maori tradition known as whakapapa, which includes deep regard for the layers of human history successive generations build upon. The Maori warrior history of humility and bravery is theirs to honor and to hand off to the next generation. Watch their famed haka dance, performed by the team before each contest, as a reminder of that lineage:

 

 

They deeply believe that higher purpose delivers higher performance. The players explain how the Kapo o Pango haka improves performance through unity and purpose: 

 

 

When the players felt trusted and relied upon, their performance improved and leadership emerged everywhere. Building this much trust shows up as sustained, creative accomplishment.

Want to create these types of achievements in your organization? Release wonder, appreciate differences, build trust, and orchestrate diverse contributions. Give people a chance to be agents of collective success rather than victims of domination.