After more than two decades as an international rugby referee, I’ve had the privilege of officiating at some of the world’s biggest tournaments, including the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations, The Rugby Championship, British & Irish Lions, and Super Rugby. Across 47 Test Matches, 98 Super Rugby Matches, 2 x Commonwealth Games 7’s, and Three Rugby World Cups, I’ve seen leadership tested in real-time—under immense pressure, with high stakes, and in environments where clear thinking and understanding context is non-negotiable.

The lessons I have learned on the field go beyond sport. They apply just as much to business leaders navigating uncertainty, making tough calls, and leading teams through challenges. Here are some key insights that translate from the rugby pitch to leadership in any setting.

• Leadership Under Pressure

Refereeing requires split-second decisions, often with a stadium full of people watching and millions more at home. There is no room for hesitation. However, the ability to make the right call comes from a deep understanding of the game’s context—the scoreline, the time left on the clock, the momentum of play, and the broader implications of the decision.

Business leaders face similar pressures—whether managing a crisis, making a high-stakes decision, or steering an organisation through uncertainty. Staying composed, trusting your judgement, and acting decisively are fundamental, but the best decisions come from understanding the wider context.

How do you handle pressure in your role? Do you back your own decisions when it matters most? How do you assess the broader context when making key decisions?

• Integrity and Authority

On the field, a referee’s authority comes not just from the whistle but from consistency, clarity, and a firm sense of what is right. Decisions must be fair and stand up to scrutiny. Crucially, context determines how those decisions are received, players and coaches are more likely to accept a tough call if they believe the referee has applied the law consistently throughout the match.

The same is true in leadership. Trust is built when people see leaders making firm but fair calls, holding their ground when needed, and standing by their principles—even when those decisions are unpopular. However, integrity also means understanding the situation—being rigid in principle but flexible in application when necessary.

When you make tough decisions, do you stand by them, or do you find yourself second-guessing under pressure? When you make tough decisions, do you consider the wider organisational context, or do you focus only on the immediate impact?

• Thinking Ahead, Not Just Reacting

The best referees do not just respond to what is happening—they anticipate it. By reading the flow of the game, positioning themselves correctly, and staying ahead of the play, they make better decisions. This ability comes from contextual awareness—understanding player tendencies, reading body language, and knowing when tensions are building before they escalate.

The same applies to business. Leaders who think ahead, rather than constantly reacting, are far better placed to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Anticipating problems, planning for contingencies, and reading the organisational climate enable leaders to stay in control, even in volatile environments.

Are you proactively shaping the future, or are you constantly reacting to events as they unfold?

• Communication That Cuts Through

A referee’s decision is only as effective as their ability to communicate it. Players, coaches, and sometimes even the crowd need to understand the reasoning behind a call. Clarity prevents confusion, reduces frustration, and keeps everyone focused on the game. Context here is critical—how a referee communicates with a frustrated captain differs from how they address a minor technical infringement.

In business, the same applies. Teams need to understand not just what is happening but why, so they can align their actions with the bigger picture. Strong leaders tailor their communication to the situation—providing reassurance in times of crisis, inspiration in moments of change, and clarity in moments of uncertainty.

How confident are you that your team understands your vision, expectations, and decisions?

• Resilience and Learning from Mistakes

No referee gets every call right. Mistakes happen, but what matters is how you respond—owning the error, learning from it, and moving forward. Context again plays a role—acknowledging an error in a crucial moment requires humility but also leadership, as it can either strengthen or weaken credibility.

In leadership, the same principle applies. No one is immune to setbacks, but the ability to recover, learn, and improve separates strong leaders from the rest. Owning mistakes while also ensuring they do not derail long-term goals is a critical balance.

When things don’t go to plan, how quickly do you reset and refocus?

• Staying Focused on Process, Not Just Outcomes

One of the most important lessons I have learned is that you cannot get caught up in the outcome of a game. When pressure mounts, the best referees rely on their processes—clear thinking, consistency, and applying the laws of the game—rather than reacting emotionally to the situation.

The same applies to business. When things get tough, leaders who rely on clear, well-practised frameworks make better decisions. Instead of being swayed by pressure or external noise, they focus on what needs to be done and trust the process. However, context is key—sometimes, rigidly following process without adapting to circumstances can lead to unintended consequences.

When you are under pressure, do you have a reliable process to guide you, or do you find yourself getting caught up in the moment?

What This Means for Leadership

Great leadership is not about being perfect. It’s about making tough decisions under pressure, communicating clearly, thinking ahead, and staying focused on the bigger picture.

At ACN, we support leaders in building these capabilities through a structured approach to leadership and organisational growth, based on four key principles:

1. Making sure everyone is aligned and working towards the same goals.
2. Creating clarity around roles, responsibilities, and strategy.
3. Enabling teams to act together in a coordinated way, effectively.
4. Building a respectful culture where trust, collaboration, and accountability thrive.

These principles underpin both great refereeing and great leadership. If these ideas resonate with you and you are thinking about how to strengthen leadership in your own organisation, we’d be happy to discuss how we can help.