Baxter's team management secrets revealed
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter was the special guest at an event which celebrated the launch of a new business magazine for Devon.
Business and Professional Life is a quality, quarterly publication partnered by a daily digital platform.
The new initiative is the result of a link-up between Archant, the publishers of Devon Life, and The Daily UK, which owns two citizen journalism websites, The Exeter Daily and The Plymouth Daily.
It is a ground-breaking alliance and thought to be the first time in the UK that an independent digital publisher has joined forces with a traditional print partner.
Guest of honour Rob, who is being tipped for the England job, was interviewed by former player Chris Bentley.
He was asked about his management style and how he keeps a squad of 52 motivated when only half will be playing on a regular basis.
Rob said: “My favourite saying within the team is ‘if you act like men, we’ll treat you like men.’
“We expect guys who don’t play to be disappointed but they don’t get ignored. I am very aware that the guy who’s going to need the most managing is the one who is most disappointed.
“I make sure we pay them attention and we work very hard to make sure that everyone here knows how important they are.
“Making everyone within the group feel important is the biggest thing.”
Rob then explained one the key weapons in the coaching team's armoury, The No Talent Battle.
He explained: “We knew we weren’t going to be the best team in the Premiership but there is no reason why we couldn’t work harder than anyone else, that’s just a mind set.
“We now talk about, the ‘no talent battles’ in the game of rugby…
“As an example, it doesn’t take that much talent to get off the floor when you’re tired. It takes a mental decision.
“It doesn’t take talent to bend over and push in a scrum when you are tired, it’s a mental decision to do it.
“In that respect, I don’t pick the team, they do! Their actions and the way they behave determines the side.”
See the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icMw4WbuLnw&feature=youtu.be
NEW BUSINESSS MAGAZINE LAUNCHED
http://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/news/local-news-business/new-devon-busin...
