Business Lessons from Tag Rugby
Creme Global has entered teams in the Dublin Tag Rugby league over the years. I have always loved team sports, competing and tag rugby fitted right in with this. I enjoyed seeing the strengths and weaknesses of our team appear on the pitch. It taught me a lot about each person and the team, and it struck me that many lessons of playing good tag rugby are transferable to business. In this article, I explore those learnings.
In today’s competitive world, nothing is guaranteed. Success requires effort and creativity — for the organisation, its customers, partners, stakeholders, and yourself. Sport, in many ways, reflects the rhythms of life and business. Here are some business lessons I learned from many years of entering a company team into the fast-paced, team-oriented, and fun Tag Rugby leagues in Dublin:
Stay Focused
In tag rugby, there’s no room for daydreaming. You must remain alert and pay attention at all times, or your team will suffer. In business, the same holds true: those who lose focus or fail to stay sharp may hamper their team.Be Proactive and Aggressive
Opportunities don’t wait. When a gap opens up, you need to attack quickly. In business, finding and seizing opportunities requires the same level of proactive intensity.Communicate Constantly
Tag rugby is a game of communication— being in constant communication with teammates, letting them know of danger, opportunities, and options in real-time - and doing it quickly. Yell it out when required! Always listen actively and communicate - fast. Open communication enables effective real-time teamwork and transforms performance.Celebrate Every Success
Whether it’s a small win or a big breakthrough, taking the time to acknowledge and celebrate successes boosts morale and keeps momentum going.Observe and Be Aware
Focus is key, but so is peripheral vision. In rugby, as in business, you need to be focused on the immediate action while also staying aware of the bigger picture around you.Mistakes Have Consequences
In tag rugby, a mistake can result in a try, but sometimes you get away with it. In business, while some errors go unnoticed, others can be costly. Continually assess what went wrong, even if the outcome wasn’t immediately negative.Creativity Is Key
Sometimes, the only way through is to innovate and do something different. In rugby, a creative move might break the defence; in business, a creative move could spark a major breakthrough.Don’t Argue with the Referee
Just like in rugby, there are moments in business where you disagree with the decision-maker. Whether it's a client or a manager, the lesson is the same: state your case professionally, but if you are overruled, accept the outcome, adapt, and move on.Focus on What Matters
For example, when the ball is loose, the only priority is to secure possession, not just going after a tag. In business, focus on the thing that really matters is vital, so prioritize wisely.Plan Ahead
It’s good to think ahead in tag rugby. We would have Plan A ready, Plan B as a backup, and maybe even Plan C in the background for emergencies. Being prepared for multiple scenarios ensures the team can react with flexibility and resilience.Trust Your Team, But Be Ready to Support
While you need to trust your teammates to make their tags, it is good to have a backup plan in case they miss, e.g. a full back ready to stop any line breaks. In business, having processes in place to mitigate risks and cover gaps is also key.Professionalism and Responsibility
In tag rugby, if it’s your opposing number, you do everything in your power to make the tag. In business, we need to take similar ownership of our responsibilities and ensure that we don’t let the team down.Work Hard Until the End
In sport we get tired, but the final five minutes can be just as crucial as the first. In business, put in the effort until the very end—you can rest when the job is done.Luck Favors the Prepared
Luck plays a part, but the harder you work, the luckier you get in sports. Preparation and hard work in business can also create great opportunities that may appear on the surface to be luck.Be Defensive, But Calculated
Protect yourself from potential risks, but also know when to take calculated risks to secure a greater reward. A point in hand is sometimes better than risking everything for an uncertain outcome - and sometimes it’s not! Sometimes in business, it is better to protect what you have than to gamble heavily when the odds aren’t in your favour.Stay Calm Under Pressure
When everyone else panics, the one who keeps their cool often emerges successful. In business, composure in stressful situations can also be the difference between success and failure.Turn Defense into Offense
A strong defensive move can spark an offensive play in tag rugby. In business, recovering from a setback can create new opportunities if you are resilient and proactive.Synergy Is Everything
A great team is always greater than the sum of its parts. In both rugby and business, working in tandem, organised, supporting one another, and playing to each other’s strengths creates a team that is greater than the sum of its parts.Persistence Pays Off
After seven straight losses one season we got a win in the final game and it felt sweet. In business, how do you deal with the disappointment of losing a big sale or opportunity? You keep going and continue to nurture more big opportunities in the pipeline. Perseverance through tough times is what eventually leads to success.
As Bill Shankly once said, “Football is not a matter of life or death—it’s much more important than that!” It may seem paradoxical, but sport can be both insignificant and immensely significant at the same time. In business and in sports, such as tag rugby, if you can meet success and failure with equal aplomb and treat those two impostors the same, you will be a true professional and a valuable asset to your team.