Nottingham Business School Business Leaders Podcast
Maggie Alphonsi MBE - Leadership insights from a World Cup winner | Episode 36
Introduction:
- Maggie Alphonsi MBE is the First Lady of English Women's Rugby and a pioneer and leader in the international game.
- She was World Rugby Personality of the Year in 2011 - then won the World Cup with England in 2014. Her tough tackling, all-action style made her popular with both fans and fellow team members.
- In 2016 Maggie made history by becoming the first woman player to be elected a member of the English Rugby Union's Council. Her ambition is to become President of the RFU.
- Earlier this year, Maggie was a key part of ITV's coverage of the 2023 World Cup, in France. Eight years ago, she was the first woman player to commentate on a men's international game (in the 2015 World Cup).
- Earlier this month, Maggie was part of three-person independent panel called in to investigate a toxic culture of bullying and misogyny at the Welsh Rugby Union.
Key takeaways:
- Maggie says successful leaders need resilience. She says: "I grew up in a deprived area, in a single-parent family, on a [London] council estate. I had a club foot that needed an operation to correct it when I was young. I learned to be resilient."
- Maggie doesn't like to spend too long reflecting on her successes. She says: "If I look back, I stop moving forward. [Instead] I'm always asking myself, what's the next job? what's my next goal?"
- Leaders should always be looking out for mentors, says Maggie. "Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis was someone who inspired me [while growing up]. I've subsequently met her. She's a brilliant person who has become a bit of an adviser to me. Leaders need mentors."
- Maggie has a BSc, an MSc and an MBA - and is a huge advocate for lifelong learning. She says: "Education is incredibly important... it's also anti-ageing. You're consistently learning, challenging yourself... keeping your mind alive."
- And she knows what drives her. "I have a great fear of failure - a fear of poverty... I don't want to go back there."
- Maggie's advice to fellow leaders? "Learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Challenge yourself every day... just say, yes! You may feel uncomfortable at the time... but when you do it, you'll be so pleased you did."
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