World Cup Tips And Leadership Lessons: Q&A With Ex-England Rugby Captain Will Carling

You joined Eddie Jones' England coaching team as a leadership mentor last autumn. How did you approach the challenge of identifying potential leaders within the playing group and improving their decision-making and motivational skills? 

It takes time to watch and learn about all the players. There are some potential leaders. We just need the time this summer to guide the players into developing their own environment and having the courage and confidence to take on the responsibility. Honesty is key, with themselves and each other.

England have consistently been guilty of choking in big games - for example, surrendering a 31-point lead against Scotland in this year's Six Nations. Are there strategies you can deploy within a team to help prevent a team freezing during a match? 

They have choked in some big games, and have been outstanding in others. There is an issue within the squad, going back to the 2015 World Cup that needs addressing and all the plans and personel are in position to do that this summer. 

In the 1990s, you ran a company called Inspirational Horizons, translating lessons from your rugby career for business leaders. What can today's business leaders learn from the way a highly professional sport such as rugby is organised? Are there lessons in, say, the pursuit of excellence, resilience, or decision-making under pressure that are transferrable? 

I think some of the key messages are being honest about why you lead. Being open and 'vulnerable' to your team. Investing emotionally in your team, focusing on process rather than outcome, trust and the development of internal coaching. 

In 1988, you became England captain at the age of 22. How did you handle having such responsibility at such a young age? 

I spent most of my time asking for advice, listening to the views of senior players and picking the brains of successful people from a whole variety of walks of life. 

What did you find the most difficult aspect of leadership? How did you deal with dissent as a captain? 

Most difficult was treating everyone the same, having no favourites and not behaving in a way to foster being liked, but behaving in a way that earned respect.