Newington College

Coach Longmire talks hallmarks of a Leader

Coach Longmire talks hallmarks of a Leader

“‘We’ beats ‘me’ is how we drive teamwork” said Coach John Longmire of the Sydney Swans in a special talk to Senior Leaders as part of a Wellbeing Leadership Program led by Head of Co-curricular Mr Peter Wilkins.

Coach Longmire took the boys and several staff through the various ways Swans players are taught how to support each other, including rewarding collegiality, having honest conversations and seeking feedback.

He spoke about the importance of culture and having leadership hallmarks that define what you are as an individual and who you are as a team to help build collegiality.

While showing a couple of TV golden moments of the Sydney Swans scoring, Coach Longmire repeatedly stressed how much preparation would have gone into just a few ecstatic moments on screen.

“Have a personal roadmap for improvement and give them [those you are guiding] an action plan because do you know what that creates? It creates trust between you and him”.

“And ask. Ask, ask, ask. How am I perceived, how are we perceived? Do not be afraid to have that conversation about what you’re doing and how you can do it better” he said.